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| LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, II 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



MOTHER'S LEGACY; 

OK, 

SABBATH EVENING COUNSELS 

TO 

HER SOXS AND DAUGHTERS. 
BY MRS. NANCY SPROAT, 

LATE OF TAUNTON, ]tfASS. 

AUTHOB OF POETIC WORKS FOE THE YOUNG, ETC. 



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PUBLISHED BY THE 
AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, 

150 NASSAU-STBEET, NEW YORK. 



"BV453I 



57 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by the 
American Tract Society, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court 
of the United States for the Southern District of New York. 



CONTENTS. 



I. Early religion -- - - 7 

II. Family discord 12 

III. Filial duty - ---- 17 

IV. Study of the Bible - 22 

V. Prayer --- 27 

VI. Dangers of the world 33 

VII. Emptiness of earthly pursuits 38 

VIIL Temptations 41 

IX. Truth 48 

X. Justice 53 

XI. Mercy - 58 

XII. Humility 63 

XIII. Gratitude - 69 

XIV. Unbelief --- 73 

XV. The Sabbath - - 78 

XVI. Time 83 

XVII. View of the divine hand - 88 

XVIII. The fall and recovery of man - 92 

XIX. Future life 99 

XX. Future punishment - - 104 

XXI. Three natures of man 110 

XXII. Eetrospection 116 

XXIII. Resignation to God's will 121 

XXIV. Trust in God - 127 

XXV. Divine goodness 133 



Mrs. Sproat was an earnest and devoted 
Christian mother. Notwithstanding the cares 
of a large family and its many domestic du- 
ties, the minds of her children were not neg- 
lected. The tenor of her whole life exerted 
a happy influence upon all about her. Po- 
etry was natural to her; and while at her 
daily avocations, she would often weave her 
thoughts into rhyme, for the amusement and 
instruction of her children. 

An innate love of the beautiful in nature 
impelled her to draw their thoughts often to 
the glorious handiwork of the Creator; and- 
in all her writings is seen a pure and confid- 
ing trust in her Redeemer, betokening how 
fully she was imbued with the priceless bless- 
ings of his grace. It was often her custom, on 
the Sabbath, to gather her little flock about 
her, after divine service, and discourse to 



6 INTRODUCTION. 

them on religions and other important sub- 
jects in connection, holding their attention by 
the power of her poetic imagery and richness 
of illustration. Many of these addresses are 
preserved, and have proved a rich legacy to 
her children and grandchildren. The follow- 
ing pages originated in this way, and are now 
given to the public, with the hope that they 
may prove pleasant and profitable to many. 

S. A. S. 



EARLY RELIGION. 



A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 



I. 

pARLY Religion. 

"When life before your path is bright, 
And fancy sheds its golden light, 
And you the dawning future deem 
As radiant as your own bright dream, 
Ere yet its after-path be trod, 
Remember your Creator God." 

Flowers of eloquence and the entreaties 
of parental affection have power to lead tlie 
young from the dangerous paths of error 
into the pleasant walks of heavenly wisdom. 
But unless you lend a listening ear — unless 
you strive yourselves to seek these pleasant 
paths — eloquence and affection will urge and 
entreat in vain. 

You do not wholly disbelieve the truth, 
that when this life is past you will be happy 



8 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

or miserable for ever ; but perhaps are think- 
ing to postpone your choice to a future day. 
This consideration, though stained with black 
ingratitude to Him who offers you eternal 
happiness, might have some force if you were 
certain of the continuance of life; but the 
present moment is all you are sure of, and 
on this moment your everlasting welfare may 
hang. Should you be spared even to old age, 
if you spend your days in forgetfulness of 
God, and in those habits of sin which are the 
sure consequences of that forgetfulness, you 
may find they are too strong to be so easily 
broken as you think, as sin is undoubtedly 
strengthened by repetition. And if you re- 
fuse to give the prime of your life to the ser- 
vice of your Creator, there is no certainty 
that he will accept you when that time is past, 
when your energies are blunted, and your best 
powers perhaps degraded and weakened. No, 
my children, you cannot begin too early. If 
a man owned a fine field, which was capable 
of producing a plentiful crop, what would 
you think to see him idle away the spring 
and summer, and begin to plant in Septem- 
ber? 



EARLY REL1 : I 9 

Perhaps, from the self-denial that religion 
imposes, and the apparent sadness of some 
weak Christians, you may have been led to 
conclude that Christianity is a gloomy path ; 
but this is a mistake. The direct tendency 
of true religion is, to make men cheerful and 
happy. Believers should go on their way 
rejoicing. If they have many comforts, they 
view them as coming from the hand of a Fa- 
ther, and receive them thankfully. If they 
have troubles, they know they have an al- 
mighty Friend who is able to deliver thei_: 
and they rejoice in his power; for t^ey 
persuaded he will not surfer them to bear a 
single affliction that is not absolutely neces- 
sary. They love to think much of God, be- 
cause he is the best of beings. They adore 
his character, admire his government; they 
love his commands. If they meet with diffi- 
culties, they carry them immediately to him, 
requesting that they may be overruled for 
their best good, and trust they shall be heard 4 
and answered. They are not afraid to die, 
for they believe as soon as they leave this 
world, they shall begin their best life ; and as 
they fear not death, they have no other fear. 



10 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

They alone have true courage. They feel 
they have a great and glorious Friend to 
whom all things must bow, and to serve him 
most acceptably is their constant endeavor. 
For this purpose they will cheerfully perform 
every duty, and thankfully embrace every op- 
portunity of doing good. They cannot find 
in their hearts to hate any human being, but 
sincerely wish that all would forsake their 
sins, and love and obey their Maker ; because 
this would make them amiable here, and 
hapjpy for ever hereafter. And they look 
forward with delight to their release from a 
world of shadows, and admission into a state 
of felicity which knows no disappointment 
and no alloy, where sickness and death and 
sin and sorrow will be at an end for ever ; 

1 * Where everlasting spring abides 
And never withering flowers." 

My children, is not this a prize worth striv- 
ing for? Good and evil are set before you, 
let your choice determine which shall be your 
position. Let me entreat you not to defer it 
another day: no, not another hour: deter- 
mine, and look to God to confirm your deter- 



EAELY RELIGION. 11 

mination, that from this moment you will 
obey the injunction, " Thou shalt love the 
Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all 
thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with 
all thy mind." 

"To Him the early dawn be given; 
The noontide blaze, the dew of even ; 
Be his the littered song of praise, 
And his the silent prayer you raise ; 
In life or death, in grief or joy, 
Let him your grateful thoughts employ. " 



12 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 



II. 

Family Discord. 

1 ' That love its holy influence pour, 

To keep us meek, and make us free, 
And throw its binding blessings more 
Round each with all, and all with thee." 

WATTS. 

My dear children, the last Sabbath I en- 
deavored to point out to you the vast impor- 
tance of early piety. I now wish to speak, in 
the hope of aiding you to battle with the foes 
and temptations that will continually rise up 
to lead you away from your goal; and I name 
as one of the first and nearest foes, that which 
you may find in your own home. I have no 
doubt of the reality and sincerity of your affec- 
tion for each other, but I have observed with 
concern that a jarring spirit too often strikes 
upon the chords of our domestic harmony; 
and I confess I dread to see the demon Dis- 
cord enter this mansion of love. 

Should discord rise to hatred, should a 
settled animosity freeze the current of our 



FAMILY DISC 3BD. 13 

home-born joys, what would then be left on 
:h desirable for us, your ts, who have 

earned jou in our bosoms, and laid your h 
piness upon our hearts ? You may possibly 
wonder that I shoui pate a conseque: 

so fearful from ti I tm -instance of petty 

altercations; but if you discerned an enemy 
at a distance, would you sit down and 

wait till he had entered your territory and 
taken possession of your conn 

smpted to oppose him ? >7o. you wc 
rise to arms at once. anA give yourselves 
no rest till you had expelled him from your 
Believe me, m Iren, sin is the 

most encroaching, most subtle, and most dan- 
gerous of enemies. It winds into every sh 
to attract your eyes : it mantles its^i: in: ;■ the 
semblance of innocence, to allure y. 
the path of duty; and some iss unies 

even the playfulness of child! coy 

you to ruin. Its fii g ner- 

aliy small and almost imperceptible ; but it- 
advances are rapid and deadly. 
spot, which if n idly ext: will pol- 

lute the whole mass of blood, and destroy 
hie. Ask the i mn- 



1- i MOTHER'S LEGACY 

ed to execnii :::. what t Bg is his first career of 
crime, and he wiD tell yon, [ Btty theft; that 
once his conscience was tea ler, and he would 
hare recoil- ;". with h : 1 1 : i :_ : m the deed which 
is now to cost him his life ; but thai repeated 
: wi ke :".:'_ r s s hardened his heart, till he 
coil;" strif the last garment from the shiver- 
ing orphan, and plunge the fata! steel :r_ its 
widowed mother's breast Bui yon maybe 
ready to exclaim. There is sni ely no resem- 
blance between the trifling agitations in a 
family, and flagrant violation ;: rhelaw. 

My children, society is made op of fami- 
lies. • The plants which bud in the nursery 
of home are to blossom in the world. The 
foundations of virtue and vice are laid while" 
you are under Hie paternal roof; the feel- 
ings which are cultivated. the habits which 
are formed here will, as :..: : - your influence 
extends, ex alt and refine, _ pollute and de- 
base s: I: are mild, patient, and 
obliging :.: h : m :-. y : a will note nly insure to 
you: : _ z ::: on abroad, but 
your example may '.; : imitate . y ir asso- 
thal n will confirm 
and 



FAMILY DISOOBD. 15 

But if yon are petulant, harsh, and unyield- 
ing among those with whom you are con- 
nected by the ties of nature and interest, you 
will not be likely to acquire gentler disposi- 
tions or more conciliatory manners by an in- 
tercourse with strangers. No, my children, 
the air of the world is poisonous ; you must 
carry an antidote with you. or the infection 
will prove fatal. 

It is a wise and benignant appointment of 
Providence, that mankind should be classed 
in families. The constant and reciprocal ob- 
ligations which rivet the affections of parent 
and child, of brother and sister, would never 
have sweetened the journey of life, had the 
human race been formed to exist without the 
affection of kindred union. What a pity is 
it then to frustrate a purpose so benign — 
to break the order of a system planned by 
Heaven itself — to introduce discord and con- 
fusion into abodes which the God of nature 
has formed for the residence of peace. The 
being who dares do this shall not be held 
guiltless. Let it be henceforth our earnest 
endeavor to accord with the design of our 
merciful Father. Let dissension be looked 



16 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

upon as an invader, and let us join hand in 
hand to crush it. " The beginning of strife 
is as when one letteth out water." Let us 
avoid its beginnings ; let contradiction be 
unknown : if offence should arise, let us re- 
member that " a soft answer turneth away 
wrath/' and that " the fruit of righteousness 
is sown in peace of them that make peace." 
A blessing from heaven will no doubt be shed 
upon exertions like these; and when you are 
separated, as you probably will be, and scat- 
tered in different parts of the earth, it will be 
most sweet to recollect that, when you lived 
together, you lived in love. As I close my 
remarks to you to-day, a Persian precept 
comes to mind : 

"Forgive thy foes ; nor that alone, 
Their evil deeds with good repay ; 
Fill those with joy who leave thee now, 
And kiss the hand upraised to slay." 



FILIAL DUTY. 17 

III. 

^Filial Duty. 

Much has been written upon the princi- 
ples of government ; and such is the nature 
and character of man, that subordination is 
absolutely necessary for the security and or- 
der of society. The child must be subject to 
the parent, the parent to the magistrate, the 
magistrate to the higher civil authority, and 
that to the laws; and this subjection, suita- 
bly observed, constitutes the safety and har- 
mony of the nation. Were it otherwise — 
were children to throw off all obedience to 
parents, parents to act their pleasure inde- 
pendent of magistrates, inferior rulers to re- 
ject the supreme authority, and the highest 
executive itself disregard the laws — it does 
not require the eye of prophecy to perceive 
that the most fearful confusion, uproar, and 
destruction would speedily follow. 

But this is taking a political view of the 
subject; let us now retire to families, and ex- 

Mother's Legacy. 2 



IS & MOTHER'S LI .-_-__ V 

ami:: - nae of the ill tural reasons d_ - 

dren should 1: b subject :: parents. 

If join parents have been faithful they 
loved yon b e: : i ■€ yon I : ~ - 1 yc m selves. 

"With anxious solicitude the ;.:;hed jour 

necessities and supplied youi Traits ;:e::re 
you were :::.":'_- :: knowing the hand that 
fed""::. Wearisome lays and sleepless nights 
they v mt in youi service. They considered 
no task too arduous, nc fatigue toe rreat 
that nature ::vdd sustain^ when ster- 

ing to your comfort. Theii jymj ..:"...:.- s were 
alive : : yc ux : ; i i : w . and yc m : : y a . I: 
you suffered, they were grieved :: you 
were well and happy, they were leHghted 
Theii time theii property, then rod and 
rest were sacrificed foi yom benefit _ : _ 3 you 
advanced in years then anxieties inc 
The formation of your el: : mprove- 

ment :: your minds and the 1 r om 

souls engag-rd theii -:d:_ When you 

leviate I from the path of duty, and : ::: : :- 
1 became 1 hat 1 d_i :. 

it inflicted. I whi :d 1 

:. o a] 1 not ten lei 

'. - Z Land 



FUtlAZ : 7TY. 

hap 

I on i d and 

:'.:llo~ e fi er_ti ; 
They w y ra k on shin world ol 

whose deceptio ns yc a w -:- r e a tterly i at — 

. ~ ;•_'.". —'._: e ' .: .ire diey had tried Mid 
found them vain — whose promisee they 

rience lie : yvered they 

were : Lse 7Lt~ deprived yoo :: present 
gratiz sation sc lely to insure your future : : ; a- 

e~: ;•_.". w~_er_ tiie gripe ^:_t:" hard Hi : 

\- ye-i irrce :Le ~e:_T ;: :langer a :~ 
ahn ys the severity if love 

Ai lit ?liilclren, what return oughl 

£e : :<i ' :-Ii ;. series :: wat jhfol 

:_ :e rrenri :n?? Ea gi b&- 
:\:1 :':r";r::r :;: ii'.i:-L? I- intifal siibmia- 
sion and filial tenderness _ more 
"v__. : i I '■ . '._ : ".' I y a know with ■ 

an] idn of a dbil 1 wrinj 

. . . .. w . ._- - 

B 
obe Ken : im- 

v :.:.;.^:e :L;e_ :::" I Lave nienti :•_; ." . and 



20 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

that is, the command, promises, and threat- 
ening^ of God. In various parts of Scrip- 
ture this duty is forcibly enjoined. Let me 
select a few : 

" Honor thy father and thy mother, that 
thy days may be long upon the land which 
the Lord thy God giveth thee." " Whoso 
curseth father or mother, let him die the 
death." " The eye that mocketh at his fa- 
ther, and despiseth to obey his mother, the 
ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the 
young eagles shall eat it." " Hearken unto 
thy father that begat thee, and despise not 
thy mother when she is old." " Children, 
obey your parents in the Lord; for this is 
right." " Children, obey your parents in all 
things ; for this is well-pleasing unto the 
Lord." " He that wasteth his father and 
chaseth away his mother is a son that caus- 
eth shame and bringeth reproach." M Whoso 
curseth his father or his mother, his lamp 
shall be put out in obscure darkness." 
" Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, 
and saith it is no transgression, the same is 
the companion of a destroyer." 

The promise of long life, you may observe, 



FILIAL DUTY. 21 

is annexed to the command of honoring your 
father and your mother ; and the Scripture 
observes, it " is the first commandment with 
promise." After authority so indisputable, 
I hope you will not need any persuasion to 
a duty so important and indispensable. I 
say not this, my children, to accuse you of 
neglect, but to secure you in the practice of 
a prime duty from the best motives. 



22 A MOTKEE'S LI >AC 7. 

IV. 

Study of the ]3iblb. 

"Read other books," says an excellent 
writer, "but study the Bible." To this most 
pleasing and important, yet much ne 
study, let me now call your attention. 

The fondness which so much prevails, es- 
pecially among young people, for light i ;-:. - 
ing, is a strong proof of the corruv I the 

mental tastes. Scripture narrative has svery 
thing to engage the attention of a lover of 
truth; and were not the mind vitiated, it 
would be impossible to read it ~ : in- 

struction and pleasure. It is clear, cone:.--. 
abounding with incident. 

Never were such a variety of important 
and interesting facts so plainly related in 
few words as those in the > 
Tolumes of human composition would not 
contain so much truly useful historic know- 
ledge as is comprised in a few chapters of 
this wonderful book. Its delineati har- 



study or :z: liele. 23 

ij lions such ;. reach ey 

, No person of sensibility 

id the story of 
rmmoY b 

Eut history is only a part of .Hence. 

tore are inimi- 
le. The : ttemj bs of the be : English po- 
ets to versify the I .:.lms and oilier portions 
zriptoi : y. afford a striking proof 

of the inferiority of tlie human pencil to the 
pen of inspiration. If you are charmed with 
sublimity :: thought, with striking metaphor, 
bold, imagery, and all the varic Zr-sof 

yu wish to contemplate na- 
ture arrayed in the grandeur of her majesty, 
or examine her \ fa I . in the secrecy of re- 
ment— i ish to view her face when 

frowning with ;: winter, or dim- 

pling with the smiles of sprii_ the Bi- 

ble. 

Ev _\tion of tas 

indj . v.i . and individual 

_d volume should impel us 

to e: Lon. Its 

precepts ai a rule of life for man, 



24 a :: ■: iher-'s legacy. 

and it is impossible to conceive of a code of 
laws so wise, so beneficent, so well suited to 
the necessities of our state, and so calculated 
to promote our hap- ::.r :■ a ^ the precepts of 
the Bible. It was observed by a former pres- 
ident of our Congress, that i; if the book of 
Proverb • ;■_■_'_- \ ,::;.:tist :uld 

be no such thing as bankruptcy, failures of 
payment, or family contentions in the world/' 
But here perhaps an objection may arise 
from your own insufficiency. You may be 
ready to say. "I acknowledge the commands 
of God are wise and g<; jut I have diso- 

beyed them, have made myself so sinful that 
I am now unable to obey them; why then 
should I read the Bible '?" I answer, for this 
very reason you should read it. because 
contains not o ::_;"■ m us. but a 

blessed Gospel also, to recover the law-break- 
ers from the ruin they have lit upon 
themselves. By violating the divine law. we 
have exposed ourselves to its penalty, which 
is " everlasting destruc :he presence 
of the Lord;" but the Bible ] ims par- 
don and salvation to every sinner who will 
forsake his and return to the pail 



STUDY OF THE BIBLE. 25 

duty. Hear its compassionate language : 
"O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but 
in me is thy help." 

We cannot be in any situation in life 
wherein the Scriptures will not apply to us, 
either in reproof, instruction, or consolation. 
Its promises should be treasured up in our 
minds, and its precepts written upon our 
hearts. It cannot be read too early, believed 
in too confidently, or obeyed too implicitly. 
It directs all our actions, and reaches all our 
necessities. Let me then alter the question, 
and ask, Why should we not read the Bible ? 
In the bloom of youth, in the glow of health, 
and encircled by friends, you see not the 
beauty of religion, because you feel not the 
need of its supports. But remember, my be- 
loved children, that youth and health and 
friends are passing away ; that the days of 
sickness and desertion, and even death, are 
approaching ; and how much will you then 
need its consolations. 

If you love yourselves, if you value your 
future peace, choose now for your friend 
that Being who will never disappoint nor 
forsake you. Such a choice will save you 



j- :: : :i:: . le ja : v. 

from a thousand •:.::::. .: id ten Thousand 
It will give you pe ace in your own 
bosoms, and make you blessings to soci- 
And if yon should be spared to advanced 
life, it will give yon inexpressible comfort to 
yoni prime was ledicated to God. 
He 7 consoling would it rlien be, 

to look ■;." with humble confidence to your 
Father in heaven, and hear him saying, "I 
rememl a bhe kindness :: thy youth." 

"What situation : ex site : : a : h .". a ap com- 
passion :. : an old age without •;. hope in heav- 
en? Let me eonjuxe you by every rndearin^ . 
by Bvery solemn consideration, tc avoid an 
evil so dreadful by levoting yourselves with- 
out delay to Bim whe L demanded your 
hearts. And that may be lii :ted, en- 

couragedj and strengthened in every duty,. 
let m€ now entreat you to begin, as & daily 
pra: nd continue life shall 



PRATER. 27 

V. 

Prayei^ 

"Prayer," says an excellent writer, "is a 
great duty, and as great a privilege." That 
it is a duty, no one will deny who recollects 
how frequently it is enjoined in the sacred 
writings; and that it is a privilege, no one 
will be disposed to controvert who has ever 
felt the burden of sin, and fled for refuge to 
a crucified Saviour. The distance between 
God and his creatures is inconceivable. He 
is the "high and lofty One who inhabiteth 
eternity;" we are as mites upon this speck of 
earth. Prayer annihilates, if I may so speak, 
the immeasurable distance, and introduces us 
into the court of heaven. The devout soul, 
in this exalted exercise, rises beyond the 
boundaries of creation, leaves intervening 
worlds behind, and rests in the bosom of 
God. 

Some persons appear to have the idea that 
they have no right to pray until they are 



28 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

sanctified ; but this is as absurd as for a sick 
man to wait till he is well before sending for 
a physician. The more violent the disease, 
the more is the necessity of a physician ; and 
the more sinful a human being, the greater 
is his need of pardon. If you are convinced 
that you are sinful, and want to be forgiven 
and reconciled to your Creator, you are in 
the very situation to pray. 

But possibly this is not your case : per- 
haps you feel cold and indifferent as to your 
eternal welfare ; are so engaged in this world's 
pursuits that you think little of the next ; and 
when the thought is obtruded upon you, it 
is unwelcome, and you endeavor to drive it 
from your minds. Perhaps it pains you to 
reflect that there is a Being to whom you are 
accountable, and you would be willing to be 
for ever separated from him. 

If these are your feelings, you need prayer, 
if possible, more than in the other case ; for 
this is spiritual blindness. Your Maker sur- 
rounds you, and you see him not. He shines 
upon you in the sun, and refreshes you in the 
air. He covers the field with grain for your 
sustenance, and hangs the bough with fruit 



PRAYEB. 29 

for your gratification ; and do 3*011 wish to for- 
get liim ? He is not only around, but with- 
in you. He moves your every pulse and 
supplies your every breath, expands your 
frame and strengthens your limbs, guards 
you through a thousand dangers which you 
see not, and guides you in a path of safety, 
when you are unconscious of the hand that 
leads you; and are you willing to be sepa- 
rated from him ? 

Oh, my children, absence from God is ab- 
sence from all happiness. Whatever ideas 
you may have had of future punishment, it 
is in reality that state from which the Al- 
mighty withdraws his gracious presence ; and 
it is a misery beyond all human conception 
dreadful. Since He is the alone source of 
beauty and excellence, there can be nothing 
in the wide universe beautiful or excellent 
but from his influence ; and were those influ- 
ences withheld, nothing but the most hideous 
deformity would be seen in every object. 

Wherever his Spirit breathes, there is 
loveliness ; and to be guided by this Spirit 
till we are wholly transformed into his amia- 
ble likeness, should be the constant desire of 



30 lmc :z::.' B li v 

every rational creature. I: you waul these 
blessings, ask foi them. I: you 1c : ;: want 

them — if yon are willing to go on in sin till 
you sink in the pit of "irremediable [ bi :".::: :n — 
lose not a moment, bat | ray instantly, pray 
fervently that yon may be wakened from a 

lethargy so fearful, and conducted :: :. place 
of safety. 

Ponder these rhines in your hearts : let not 
the trifling concerns of this little world fill 
your minds: you were made toi nobler pur- 
poses : yon :-.'_ 3 endued with snclihigh capac- 
ities, that even the an -hing to 
see how you improve them. The ay . : _ G : " 
is ever upon you, and he is :.- willing as he is 
able to bless you, if you will ' - ' .'.:: - 1 All 
nature is mini tc yom a :;": e -";-: y 
thing that you behold directs you to heaven : 
_y rational enjoym : at bids you loon t : the 
er; nay. the very emptii : those ob- 
3 which have disappointed j 
powerful he "Se ?": n . I in us a happi- 
ixich God aloi 
Holiness, peace, and joy ■: : iftsoi the 
and th 
Early prayer : 



pi. 31 

said. "They that seek me early ne;" 

remember the ki] thy youth." The 

humble petition of a contrite heart was never 

red in vain. I ou have no 

expect any good, if you will not ask 

for it. God is infinitely merciful, and he 

borne with you a long trat you have no 

that he will continue to bear, if 

you continue disobedient. 

has hitherto prevented your falling 
ink srpe sies : : l wickedness of which 

capabl- 1 Nc thing but the restraining 
Joel Should he let go his hold, 
should he leave you to yourselves, you would 
:ine altogether as vile as the most aban- 
doned. Oh then, if you love yourselves, pro- 
voke him n : k forsake you All manner of 
; is comprehended in that dread- 
rtermine that you will never 
: prayer. Resolve that, 
rcling to the of the pious Dr. 

yon will never venture into the world 
a have solemnly committed you: 
to the ;.nd never lay your 

head upon your pillow without first giving 
yourself into the ai 



32 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

ther. If you follow this practice with perse- 
verance and sincerity, your faith will grow 
strong, your hopes bright, your lives pure. 
Peace will descend upon your spirits like 
"dew upon the mown grass;" and you will 
increase in every virtue, till you become in- 
habitants of that world where sin and sorrow 
and death can never enter. Let me entreat 
you to think of this important duty, and at- 
tend to it ; and may the Divine blessing rest 
upon you. 



DANGERS OF THE WORLD. 33 



VI. 

Dangers of the World. 

"What employment is more delightful, what 
sight more interesting, than a circle of duti- 
ful and ingenuous children, patiently bending 
the attentive ear to the instructions of an 
affectionate parent? Youthful inexperience 
asks a guide ; and who is so qualified for that 
important office as those who, with the fond- 
est solicitude, have watched your capacities, 
your dispositions, and your feelings, from the 
very first dawn of reason to the opening day? 
A multitude may be ready to give you their 
advice ; but among the multitude it is rare to 
find a friend. Youthful counsellors, if not 
selfish and deceitful, are generally ignorant, 
and therefore unfit to be the advisers of youth ; 
but from parents you have no deceit, no self- 
ishness to fear ; their wishes for your happi- 
ness are sincere and ardent ; and as they 
have trod every step of the road which you 
have now entered, their experience enables 

Mother's Legacy. 3 



34 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

them to point out tke dangers of the way, 
and to lead you in the most safe and pleas- 
ant paths. The joys and sorrows, the hopes 
and fears which now influence you, once influ- 
enced them, and from similar causes ; they 
can therefore enter deeply into your feelings, 
make the kindest allowances for your errors, 
and even your faults. 

But although they feel every disposition of 
forbearance and forgiveness, they are trem- 
blingly alive, not only to your everlasting- 
welfare, but to your reputation in the world; 
and while thej^ search your failures with an 
Argus eye, they would fain screen them with 
an impenetrable veil from the view of your 
fellow-creatures. 

There are indulgences which you must ex- 
pect from none but parents. Many will try 
to discover your faults, not to conceal, but to 
expose them. The unprincipled and design- 
ing will not only be blind to your virtues, but 
will perhaps endeavor to take advantage of 
your weaknesses, and turn your follies to their 
own account. Those who are destitute of 
goodness cannot bear to see it in others, be- 
cause they feel it a reproach to themselves. 



DANGERS OF THE WORLD. 35 

Persons of this description therefore, if they 
perceive that you are actuated by religious 
sentiments, will probably join with your spir- 
itual enemy in trying to laugh you out of 
them. Nobody can reason away religion, 
because religion is reason itself; but with 
young people, ridicule is a much more pow- 
erful weapon than argument. Many a young 
man would follow a good practice against 
every kind of opposition "except a sneer;" 
that he could not stand. This Satan knows 
as well as we, and therefore makes use of 
this engine to overset the good resolutions 
of youthful minds. From such companions, 
my children, I entreat you to turn away. 

But though you have many enemies to 
encounter, your merciful Creator has not 
brought you into a world where there are 
none but enemies. Numerous as are the foes 
of Christianity, yet numerous also are its 
friends. There are millions of amiable be- 
ings on £arth, who are travelling fast to heav- 
en, and if you will walk in that road, you will 
have them for your company. Could we look 
to the end of the path — could we behold the 
wretches who once slighted a Saviour shut 



36 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

up in the prison of darkness and despair. 
gnawing their tongues for pain — could we lift 
our eyes to the heavenly world, and see the 
friends of Jesus crowned with bliss, travers- 
ing the fields of light with unutterable joy. 
and tuning their golden harps to the praise : : 
their Redeemer — could we have one glimpse 
of that smile which irradiates all heaven 
beaming on their happy souls, and hear the 
sweet and cheering voice of that Shepherd 
whom, when on earth, they loved and follow- 
ed, saying, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, 
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from 
the foundation of the world" — coold we be- 
hold all this, think you we should hesi 
which class of associate to choose : 

But we are more willing : rec- 

ompense than to do the service. We wish to 
be happy hereafter, but we do not lite to 
practise self-denial here ; and yet when our 
selfish feelings rise against our dot must 

practise it, or we cannot : ~ard 

of obedience. "What soldier evei _ 
victory without fighting a battle? And ii 
the perishing things of earth are - 
that men will risk their liv 



DANGERS OF THE WORLD. 37 

surely the immense inheritance of heaven is 
worth a struggle. 

After all, there is no comparison between 
the severity of the world's demands and those 
of religion. Health, peace, and even life are 
frequent sacrifices to that idol. But sin is the 
most cruel and faithless of taskmasters. It 
promises happiness, but never bestows it ; its 
requisitions are costly, but there is no re- 
ward ; when all is spent in its service, noth- 
ing is gained but reproaches and stripes. 
"What has that wretch obtained who has 
drained away his life at the bottle?" a gall- 
ing conscience and a miserable death. Nor 
does the final perseverance in any other vice 
less certainly insure perdition. In whatever 
heart sin reigns, there does a poisonous dart 
rankle, which, if not extracted, will ruin its 
peace and insure its destruction. But the 
Rose of Sharon is without a thorn ; it is fra- 
grant, and its fragrance never cloys ; it is 
beautiful, and its beauty will not fade. Its 
value is infinite ; it cannot be purchased, but 
all who will may receive it, for it is the " gift 
of God." 



38 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 



VII. 

pMPTINESS OF pARTHLY PURSUITS. 

The recovery of that happiness which was 
lost by the apostasy has engaged the atten- 
tion of mankind from the fall of Adam to the 
present day. All ranks, all orders of per- 
sons, from the king to the beggar, have been 
and still are eagerly pursuing the same ob- 
ject by every means that imagination can 
devise. No region has been left unexplored, 
no method untried, no path untrodden. Av- 
arice has hoarded his treasures, Pleasure 
varied her enchantments, and Fame sounded 
the trumpet of praise to make men happy; 
but in vain. The soul can drink of felicity 
but from one source, and that source is di- 
vine. It is a common mistake of the thought- 
less and of the vain, that Christianity requires 
greater self-denials than the world. Let me 
ask you what desirable object can be obtained 
without self-denial? The votary of earthly 
pleasure must begin by making sacrifices. If 



EARTHLY PURSUITS. 39 

you would be wealthy, learned, or honorable, 
you must frequently forego not only the 
amusements of which youth, is so fond, but 
even the innocent comforts of food and rest, 
or you will miss the prize. 

And what is this mighty prize? Is it 
wealth ; is it honor ; is it learning ; is it sen- 
sual pleasures? Ask that wicked rich man 
what are his enjoyments ; and if he dare be 
honest, something like this perhaps will be 
his reply : "I have labored many years in the 
pursuit of wealth, and accumulated a large 
fortune, which has given me what the world 
calls independence ; but I am the most de- 
pendent of all beings. My cares have in- 
creased in proportion to my riches, and I 
feel anxieties which I never felt when I was 
poor. I am in continual apprehension of 
losing what I possess, or of leaving it. I am 
in dread of robbers, of fires, of bankruptcies. 
I am perplexed with faithless stewards, with 
dishonest servants, with insolvent debtors. 
Money will not relieve me when I am in pain, 
or quiet the reproaches of my conscience, or 
calm my mind under the terrors of death. 
The peasant rises from his simple meal as 



40 A MOTHER'S LEG-ACT. 

much refreshed and more thankful than I 
from my dainty repast. The laborer sleeps 
more soundly on his bundle of straw than I 
on my bed of down, and I feel no happier in 
my costly robes than the beggar in his rags." 

But perhaps you think the path of honor 
will present a fairer view. And what is hu- 
man honor? It is the shadow of a shade ; it- 
is a bubble lighter than air. which the breath 
that blows it up will burst. The voice which 
vociferates applause to-day, will perhaps as 
loudly proclaim disgrace to-morrow. Should 
a ship cast anchor in a mountainous billow 
which is sliding fast away to sink her in the 
gulf below, it would be no unfit emblem of 
him who builds his hopes on the world's 
favor ; the act would be no more senseless, 
nor the ruin more sure. 

But learning, you may say, learning has 
none of these disadvantages; this must be a 
solid foundation for happiness. ".Learning/ 5 
says a celebrated author, "is the best human 
thing ; ;; and let me add, learning, in the hand 
of religion, is like the gentle moon whose 
borrowed rays cheer the traveller in the ab- 
sence of the sun ; but unconnected with piety, 



EARTHLY PURSUITS. 41 

it will prove an ignis fatuus to decoy him to 
destruction, or at best a meteor which daz- 
zles and expires. 

Let us now inquire whether forbidden 
pleasure has any thing to bestow worthy the 
pursuit of a rational being. By such pleas- 
ure, I mean every species of sinful gratifica- 
tion. This is the sorceress who has decoyed 
millions to destruction. She holds to your 
lips the cup of joy, but poison is in the 
draught ; she places a rose on your bosom, 
but the thorn pierces your heart ; she is the 
syren who sings conscience asleep, the en- 
chantress who draws a film over the eye of 
reason, which hides the beauty of virtue ; 
and woe to the wretch who recovers his sight 
only to behold his ruin. 

If then neither wealth nor honor, learning 
nor pleasure, will insure happiness, where is 
the treasure to be found ? When the Creator 
entrusted man with the keeping of his own! 
felicity, he sinfully squandered it away. 
Since that, it is laid up for him in heaven, 
and it is in vain to look for it as disunited 
with a future world. We have a right to 
desire happiness, but we should see to it that 



42 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

our desires do not halt on earth, instead of 
pressing upwards to the sky. Shall the be- 
ing who can soar beyond the stars, who can 
contemplate the infinite Deity, who can cling 
to the footstool of his throne, and even imi- 
tate his moral perfections — shall such a being 
waste his noble energies in chasing a butter- 
fly, in digging among the rubbish of a fallen 
world for fragments of enjoyment, when he is 
invited to quaff his fill at the fountain of im- 
mortality ? Let us without delay comply with 
the apostle's exhortation, " Let us lay aside 
every weight," let us shake off the stupor of 
sense, and set our faces like a flint for the 
mansions of bliss. Were, our lives to close 
with time, it would be of small consequence 
whether I entreated or you listened ; but the 
existence has begun which shall never have 
an end. Is it not of the utmost moment that 
that existence should be happy? 

Could we look over the battlements which 
divide time from eternity, and behold in the 
regions of despair those miserable beings 
who are lamenting with anguish of soul their 
wasted lives, how invaluable would our time 
appear, how anxious should we feel to em- 



BABTHLY PURSUITS. 43 

ploy every moment to tlie best advantage. Or 

could we raise our eves to the fields of light, 
and see the happy sons and daughters of God 
tasting the sweet and gracious rewards of 
obedience beneath the smiles of his counte- 
nance, and joining with rapture the song of 
praise which swells in ceaseless harmony 
along the ethereal vault, how would our spir- 
its be invigorated with new desires to exert 
- 

every power in the service of such a Father, 
and become partakers of such an immei^ 
felicity. 

It is no invention of priestcraft, it is no 
rhapsody of a heated imagination sol- 

emn truth, that we must " all stand be! 
the judgment-seat of Christ."' Every one of 
us must be present at that bar. and hear the 
decisive sentence: and when the :. 
multitude of justified souls are taking poa- 

•rion of their seats in the abodes of bli 
how does im agination shrink from the chilling 
thought that one of this dear circle should 
commanded to "de] r That we may be 
-. :1 from so heart-rending a scene, let us 
pour out our ferven a :ns at the : 

x>l of alnrishtv grace. 



44 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

VIII. 

Temptations. 

You have entered on the journey of life, 
my children, and your way lies through a 
wilderness where every step is dangerous, 
where serpents hiss, beasts of prey howl, and 
snares are spread in every direction to en- 
tangle your feet ; how do you need a guard 
and a guide to protect you from harm, and 
to lead you safely through the dreary wild. 
But, to drop metaphor, you are in a sinful 
world, where you have many duties to per- 
form and many powerful temptations to with- 
stand ; not only outward opposition from 
your fellow-creatures, but evil propensities 
within, besides a secret and subtle adversary 
who spares no pains to decoy you to ruin. 
How much then do you need the Spirit of 
divine grace to enable you to overcome your 
wicked inclinations, to resist the suggestions 
of Satan, and furnish every needful requisite 
to the obedience of love. 



TEMPTATIONS- 45 

A human being in the world without relig- 
ion may be fitly compared to a ship on a bois- 
terous ocean, under full sail, without rudder 
or ballast, at the mercy of every blast and 
every wave. In a world like this, we have 
virtues % cultivate and temptations to over- 
come ; and let it ever be kept in mind, that 
every conquest over temptation is a propor- 
tionable advance in the road to bliss. 

Since I have mentioned temptations, I 
would observe that there are certain species 
of them to which some persons are more ex- 
posed than others : for instance, young men 
are more liable to fall into the sins of pro- 
fanity and intemperance than young women, 
because their avocations frequently lead them 
among those who practise these vices. And 
as sin is contagious, what they often see and 
hear they may at length be induced to imi- 
tate, although at first perhaps it might have 
excited their abhorrence. The most prudent 
caution should be used in avoiding these 
scenes of danger, since by a needless expo- 
sure we become our own tempters, than 
which nothing can be more irrational. The 
shameful practice of tavern-haunting, which 



46 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

has so prevailed in our country, has perhaps 
been the ruin of thousands who might have 
been useful members of society, if they had 
only exerted resolution enough to keep away 
from this occasion of temptation. 

Taverns were originally intended for the 
accommodation of travellers, not a receptacle 
for gamblers, drinkers, swearers, etc. ; and 
those who use them for these purposes abuse 
the privilege of an inn while they destroy 
themselves. I know not of any irregularity 
in my sons which has made -these observa- 
tions applicable to them ; but I beg they 
would receive them by way of caution, as it 
is much easier to avoid a sin than to repent 
of it. 

Riches are another species of temptation 
which assails both sexes. I do not wish you 
to be indifferent about a comfortable sub- 
sistence in the world, but I hope you will 
remember that your high-born souls, which 
were made to sail among the spheres, will 
not stoop to be tied to a bag of sordid ore 
till you have done violence to their exalted 
nature. When the love of money has taken 
possession of the breast, it is steeled to the 



TEMPTATIONS. 47 

finer feelings of humanity, and the whole 
mind is debased to a level with the dust from 
which the shining idol was dug. 

When money is used to procure the con- 
veniences and comforts of life, and to relieve 
the wants of our fellow-creatures, it is inno- 
cently employed, and may be a rich blessing; 
but when it is made a handmaid of vice, or 
is hoarded up to be worshipped, it unavoida- 
bly becomes a curse. 

The great difficulty is, we are apt to feel 
ourselves at home in the wilderness, when we 
are in reality only wayfaring men journeying 
as fast as time can move to another country. 
We should not consider any thing abiding in 
a land where every thing is speedily passing 
away; and while we improve the blessings of 
time with diligence and gratitude, we should 
remember that- "this is not our rest ;" but 
raising the eye of faith to a " better country, 5 ' 
where there are no changes, no temptations, 
no sins, and no sorrows, take courage and 
fight our way through, till we possess the 
heavenly inheritance which will last for ever 
and for ever. 



48 a :: : theb's 11 :-acy. 



IX. 



.": al 
: on 



:annot be ::: srrong.y ii^yressefi cr. :Le 
youthful mind. Without it the character 
bec:nes ccn:enpt:*::lf. ;:_". :be -::;.- is en- 
dangered I: the nature and tendency of 
falsehood ^~ere :~."ly centered, the -r-~ 
wonld excite abhorrence and dread. Its na- 
tore is :: invert the order of things, to blind 
the mind to beauty, and bring :: in love with 
deformity; :; ieceive as into a belief of 
things which are not Its tendency is to ruin 
our peace by preventing our trust in God, 
and causing as :: trust in van::". TTere 
falsehood be universally practised, the 

orde: mony of sc uld be de- 

stroy ecL If we could believe nothing we 



1 B D I 49 

heard, if we could lepend m nc me'fl pi 
ise, wha : >nfbsi m would [ sin 1 3 th 

nothei 3 ogerc racteristic of this 

subtle enemy is : its mi iei a coyer. 

11 shrinks ironi a strict scrutiny II skulks 
in iarkness li throws ;.--:'. >Td reKgi _ 
by representing :: as gle >my and imcJRsn 1 
If would even make Deity himself ;• 
unlovely and unkind If is apposed to all 
_ : : tness . :: is the Sf awn :: Hie devil. 

Truth, on the contrary, shows objects in 
~_t:_ teal light H lisplays the beauty :: 
virtue, and exposes the bidet _ vice; 

Gram le| bsd ling : d i qj e i thly 
• iness, t y til jring then 
acy tc si lisfy : in lesires. It 
- :: place :ur whole confidence m our 
revealing him :: us as the kind- 
1 ad the most [ >werful :: 
It sh : « 3 us Eta : religion is the | 
it -;■ ai id the way k bliss If seeks no 
meat] H holds its I an openfbreha 1 
ight : lay, an 1 irn :on. 

re it is known, the more it will 
L It is the friend of goodne 
spring c: 

4 



50 , A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

There is a species of falsehood practised 
by the unthinking part of the world, and 
sometimes even by those who would not will- 
ingly be guilty of what they thought false- 
hood, which disguises itself under the name 
of extravagant expression. This is often used 
in a comparative sense ; as, for instance, if a 
thing is somewhat larger than another, the 
extravagant speaker will say it is a thousand 
times bigger ; or, if he means to give a de- 
cided preference to a thing of double the 
value of another, he will say it is worth a 
hundred of it, Now if speech is given us to 
convey right ideas of things, is it not a per- 
version of the gift when we use it to convey 
wrong ones? If the words thus spoken were 
literally taken, what unjust views should we 
have. You may possibly think there could 
be no evil in such a manner of expression, 
because it is not meant to deceive ; but if it 
is false, there is harm in it ; and if it is not 
true, what is it but false ? 

Non-performance of trifling engagements 
is another species of falsehood. You prom- 
ise that you will make a call, or take a walk 
at an appointed time, not considering wheth- 



TRUTH. 51 

er it will be practicable or not; and when the 
season arrives, von perceive some inconven- 
ience in the performance, and break your 
word. There can be no difficulty in fixing 
the stamp of this action. 

Tou may possibly think me too scrupu- 
lous ; but as right or -wrong will always pre- 
ponderate, it is certainly of consequence to 
know into which scale we cast our mite, 
Should you see a bowl of hellebore, which you 
knew would kill you if you drank it all, when 
perhaps a sixteenth part might not prove 
fatal, would you from this belief venture to 
taste it ? No, you would not touch it ; you 
would think, " Its nature is poisonous/' and 
you would turn from it with loathing. 

But, reasoning apart, lying is absolutely 
forbidden by the word of God. Scripture 
expressly informs us that " all liars shall 
have their part in the lake that burns with 
fire and brimstone, which is the second 
death.'' Awful denunciation! and by a 
power from which there is no appeal — from 
a book which is given us for our guide and 
consolation, and from which we shall at last 
be judged. 



52 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

"0 God, whose presence glows in all, 
Within, around us, and above, 
Thy word we bless, thy name we call, 

Whose word is truth, whose name is love." 

"Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life ; 
Grant us to know that way, 
That truth to keep, that life to win, 
Which leads to endless day. " 



JUSTICE. 53 



X. 



Justice. 

" Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly 
with thy God." 

Upon a slight survey of these concise di- 
rections, my children, you may perhaps con- 
clude this is no very difficult task : that to 
" do justly," is to forbear cheating and steal- 
ing ; to " love mercy," is not to be cruel ; and 
"to walk humbly," not to be proud. True, 
it is all this ; but if we examine the words in 
all their bearings, we may find they mean 
still more. Let us take the first direction. 

Cheating and stealing are the last and 
most atrocious acts of injustice. But we can 
certainly act from this bad principle, and be 
absolutely guilty of breaking the law of jus- 
tice, without doing what is called by the 
world cheating and stealing. Suppose you 
are a trader, and are selling a man a piece 
of goods which you know is damaged, and he 
does not; if you do not tell him it is sound 



54 A 3I0THEE-S legacy. 

cloth, vet if you suffer him to pay the full 
price for it through ignorance, you are guilty 

of downright injustice. There are sins of 
omission as well as commission. We are 

placed in this world in a certain sense de- 
pendent on each other, and commanded to 
use our powers for our mutual advantage, 
and each individual has a claim to the ser- 
Yices of others, and owes them his own. This 
is a constitution for general benefit, and 
which we haYe no right to alter. If you 
see the property of a fellow-creature in dan- 
ger, and neglect to saYe it when it is in your 
power, you are guilty of injustice. 

But this virtue is not confined to property. 
Mankind haYe a far more valuable treasure 
than this, and more easily wounded ; this is 
character. A celebrated poet puts these 
words into the mouth of one of his heroes: 

"Who steels my purse, steals trash ; 
But lie who filches from me my good name, 
Robs me of that which not enriches him, 
And makes me poor indeed." 

Should you accuse a person of faults of 
which he is innocent, you must be sensible 
you are. doing him the most flagrant injus- 



JUSTICE. 55 

tice. But there is another way in which you 
may be equally unjust, without perhaps con- 
sidering Yourselves so blamable : should you 
hear one accused when you know he is inno- 
cent, and forbear to clear his character when 
it is in your power, you are suffering him to 
be wronged in a most important interest, -and 
are guilty of positive injustice. Further, if 
you suffer yourself to be prejudiced against 
another, and dwell on his faults without giv- 
ing him credit for his good qualities, you are 
doing him secret injustice, even though you 
should never mention your opinion of him to 
the world. 

There is a third claim which comes under 
the head of justice ; that is, our feelings. We 
are so constituted that much of our enjoy- 
ment depends on reciprocal kindness. Many 
times these kindnesses extend neither to 
character nor property. They may regard 
only the passing moment, yet they are of 
serious consequence. A pleasant look, a 
kind answer, a hundred little obliging ac- 
tions, too minute to describe, but which we 
all know and feel the effect of, should fill 
every day. They add greatly to the happi- 



56 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

ness of life, and lie who withholds them is 
unjust to all around him. 

A tart reply, a sneering look, or even a 
feigned indifference of manner, from a broth- 
er or sister, in certain circumstances, might 
wound the feelings more cruelly than severe 
bodily suffering. Let none of you imagine 
you are not of consequence enough to do all 
this mischief ; for a person of the smallest 
capacity, even a child, has power sufficient 
to make others unhappy ; and in a family 
particularly, the members are so linked to- 
gether, that the conduct of one affects the 
whole ; and remember, that when you thus 
misemploy your powers, you are robbing 
others of the tranquillity which they might 
have 'enjoyed, and thereby violating the law 
of justice. 

I would just observe, that the conduct of 
children to parents is of still more pressing 
importance than that of brothers and sisters 
to each other. As they have the first claim 
to your dutiful attentions, a neglect of these 
attentions would be infringing on one of the 
most imperious rules of justice. Let me en- 
treat you, my children, to consider what a 



JUSTICE. 57 

happiness it would be to society if only this 
one law were strictly observed. And then 
reflect, that if the practice of one virtue 
would produce such extensive benefit, what 
would be the felicity of individuals, of fami- 
lies, of the world, were all the amiable tem- 
pers of the Christian religion felt, and all its 
excellent precepts universally practised. 



58 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 



XI. 

Mercy. 

4 'Give me at length an angel's tongue, 
That heaven may echo with my song ; 
The theme, too great for time, shall be 
The joy of long eternity. " 

To love whatever is excellent in the human 
character is both a duty and a pleasure. 
When we see a person good and amiable, we 
cannot withhold our approbation and — ui>- 
less we are lost to all perception of moral 
beauty — our affection. This is right, but 
still it is not mercy. If you behold a man 
oppressed with sickness and poverty, his 
body racked with pain, and his children cry- 
ing for bread, your tender sympathies are 
awakened, you feel for his sufferings, and are 
anxious to relieve them ; this is a sweet effect 
of compassion, but still it is not mercy in its 
highest degree. 

This heaven-born virtue will exercise ten- 
derness to the faults as well as the miseries 
of a fellow-creature. In this sense mercy 



MERCY. 59 

outruns justice. Justice will not injure oth- 
ers; mercy will forgive others if they injure 
you. We will suppose an acquaintance has 
been guilty of some instance of miscon- 
duct which you have been always careful 
to avoid. If you are merciful, you will be 
so far from reproaching him with severity, 
that you will feel a disposition to make ev- 
ery kind allowance, and view every palliat- 
ing circumstance ; you will consider that 
he might have been more exposed by his 
situation to this particular sin than your- 
self ; that perhaps his temptation was stron- 
ger ; that he was off his guard, or that he 
might never have been so much instructed 
in his duties, or so well informed of the 
nature of wickedness and its awful conse- 
quences, as you have been. If he appears 
penitent, you will pity him, and do all in 
your power to console him ; if he is not pen- 
itent, you will pity him still more, and feel 
grieved that his heart is so hard. But fur- 
ther, we will suppose him your enemy — that 
he has endeavored to hurt your interest, to 
injure your character ; in short, done all in 
his power to ruin you. If you are merciful, 



60 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

you will not retaliate, or even feel resent- 
ment ; you will look upon him as diseased ; 
will consider that his soul is sick, and with a 
malady far more alarming than any that 
could assail the body, and try to heal him ; 
you will endeavor to overcome his hatred 
with love, do him every kind office in your 
power, aim at his restoration to virtue, and 
convince him that you are actuated by a 
higher principle than revenge. You will use 
every exertion to enlighten his mind with the 
splendor of truth, and raise him to the dig- 
nified eminence of virtue. 

Tou may perhaps think you are so young 
that you can do nothing towards promoting 
the morality of your fellow-creatures ; but 
you are greatly mistaken. Young people 
imitate young people. Their manners and 
opinions have great influence on each other. 
A young man of good natural understanding 
and a tolerable share of information may 
lead his companions almost where he pleases, 
unless they are uncommonly firm. You may 
often see this verified when vice is the object. 
How often have we known young persons 
ruined by keeping bad company ; and for 



MERCY. 61 

this reason how anxiously do reflecting par- 
ents warn their children of this evil. 

You might indeed reply, that wicked habits 
are more easily learned than good, and that 
I have told you the enemy of souls is strong. 
All this I will allow; but flie Being who com- 
mands your obedience is infinitely stronger 
than all your enemies, and will assist you in 
every virtuous exertion, if you apply to him 
in humble sincerity. 

You may ask what I think you could do 
towards reforming your companions. I an- 
swer, a great deal. If they see you strictly 
honest and fair in all your dealings, faithful 
to every trust, that nothing could provoke 
you to profanity, nothing tempt you to utter 
a falsehood, gentle and obliging in your de- 
portment, conscientiously dutiful to your par- 
ents, affectionate and attentive to your family 
and friends, forgiving and kind to your ene- 
mies, and hear you frequently recommending 
these practices with meekness and humility, 
do you not think it would have an effect ? 

The last and most important consideration 
that I would name as an inducement to the 
love and practice of mercy is, that it makes 



62 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

ns resemble God. It is said to be liis dar- 
ling attribute, that in which he most delights. 
And I think we have no reason to doubt it 
when we reflect that the blessings of life and 
health, of light and air, of food in all its rich 
variety, all the conveniences of clothing, of 
habitations, all the beauties of nature, the 
comforts of families, and the advantages of 
society, are bestowed upon sinners ; and that, 
when we had abused them all and forfeited 
them all by the most ungrateful disobedi- 
ence to every command of our benefactor, so 
great was his mercy that, rather than we 
should perish as we deserved, he sent his 
only Son from his bosom to fulfil the law 
which we had broken, to suffer its agonizing 
penalty in our stead, and close the scene of 
terror by a bitter and shameful death, that 
we might be forgiven and restored to his ev- 
erlasting love. This Saviour, beyond all con- 
ception gracious, before he returned to his 
kingdom from this theatre of suffering, left 
this most benign injunction : " Be ye there- 
fore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.". 

His mercy like a river flows 
In one perpetual stream. 



HUMILITY. 63 



XII. 



ji 



UMILITY, 



"The saint that wears heaven's brighest crown 

In deepest adoration bends ; 
The weight of glory bows him down 

Then most when most his soul ascends : 
Nearest the throne itself must be 
The footstool of humility. ' 

Peehaps there is no sin more offensive to 
God, or more offensive to men, when seen in 
each other, than pride. If it is discovered in 
a mean man, it renders him still more con- 
temptible. If in one who possesses good 
qualities, it tarnishes their beauty. For let 
a man have ever so many valuable acquire- 
ments, if we see him proud of them, we feel 
such an involuntary dislike that we can hard- 
ly give him credit for the good that really 
belongs to him. And so strongly does our 
nature revolt at assumption in a fellow-crea- 
ture, that we can more readily forgive real 
injuries than a single look of scorn. 



64: A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

Perhaps the observation was net unjust, 
that " vride has in i: :he ,, an: :f lying and 
stealing :" of stealing, because it arrogates 
to itself a gift which belongs to God : of ly- 
ing, because it denies that ne is the giver. 
Let us inquire what reasons we have for en- 
tertaining this odious vice. V\~e were in a le of 
the dust, and are returning to i: again. We 
came into the world destitute of food and 
clothing, and without the leas: power to ob- 
tain either, and must have starved and per- 
ished if our lives had depended on any exer- 
tions of our own. Can you discern in this 
any cause for pride '? 

Have you beauty? You did not give it to 
yourself, any more than the butterfly created 
its painted wings ; neither can yen hold it by 
your own power a moment. A shirt fit of 
sickness may destroy it. or death put an end 
to it in an instant. Can it then be a cause 
for pride ? 

Have you a fine understanding and great 
natural talents? Then you are highly re- 
s] msible for rh- : them. They are 

given that you might honor your Creator in 
a mere eminent manner,. 1 extensively 



HUMILITY. 65 

fill to your fellow-creatures, and improve 
r own heart in piety and virtue in a 
highei legree than the generality of man- 
kind. And if you neglect this improvement, 
".-serve the punishment threatened to 
the slothful servant : " To whomsoever much 
is given, of him shall much be required;" 
. "He that knoweth his Lord's will and 
shall be beaten with many 
Are talents then a cause for pride? 
Have ralth? If dishonestly obtain- 

~ill afford you no substantial peace 
:;. possess it, and at the end will 
rankle upon your heart like the poison of a 
ent. If gained lawfully, you are account- 
able to God for the manner in which you 
ad ::. After -ecuring for yourself what 
law of justice allows, you are required to 
the iT._:ainder for the benefit of others. 
i fail in doing this, you are liable 
punishment of an unfaithful steward, 
o had better have lived in poverty all 
Are riches then a cause of pride ? 
I: y a are dependent on the power and 
will I not nlj for your life and health, 

the form of your bodies, the capaci- 
5 



6G MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

ties of your minds, and that proportion of 
the good things of the world which von en- 

; ii too you are strictly accountable to 
him for the use of them all, and added to 
this, if you consider you have abused them 
all, of what have you to boast ? Is not pride 
the most unreasonable feeling that can enter 
the breast of man ? 

Humility is its entire reverse. The hum- 
ble man looks up to his Maker with grateful 
dependence. He feels thankful that he was 
not made a clod of the valley nor a beast of 
the field; that life is given him to enjoy, 
and reason to teach him how to enjoy it. He 
knows that he has sinned, lout he is grieved 
at the remembrance, and it is his earnest 
desire to sin no more. He believes that God 
so loved him that He sent his Son into the 
world to sustain the punishment that he de- 
served, and the thought lays his spirit in the 
dust. He is sensible that all his powers of 
body and mind are the gifts of his Creator. 
and he longs to employ them all in his ser- 
vice. When he has done the best action in 
his power, he is ashamed it is no better, be- 
cause he knows a perfect God requires a per- 



HUMILITY. 67 

feet service, and he sensibly feels that his 
services are all imperfect. But he humbly 
trusts that his merciful Father will forgive 
failures, and graciously accept his sincere 
though weak endeavors to please Him for the 
sake of his blessed Saviour. 

He looks abroad upon his fellow-creatures, 
and views them as one great family under the 
same universal Parent. TThen he sees them 
rebellious, he is grieved at their ingratitude. 
"When he beholds them obedient, he rejoi. 
If he has any advantages of mind or body 
or worldly interest over others, he diligently 
endeavors to employ them for their benefit. 
He envies none 'above him; he looks with 
scorn on none beneath him. He knows that 
the same almighty Being fashioned them all, 
and divided to each his gifts as he saw fit, 
and he rests fully satisfied with the division. 
He is careful to let no opportunity slip of 
doing good to his fellow-beings ; if he cannot 
render them a great service, he will attempt 

dialler. He believes that his Master will 
approve or reject his actions, not according 
to their apparent magnitude, but the feeling 
that accompanies and the motive that dire 



68 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

them. This feeling he always desires should 
be humble love, and this motive the glory of 
his Creator. Should you inquire whether a 
state like this can be attained by mere human 
effort, I answer, No. Fallen as we are from 
our original purity, no holy feeling can be 
exercised, no holy action performed without 
divine grace. 

Here then comes in the glory and beauty 
of the gospel plan. When we were " dead in 
sins, 5 ' the Son of God undertook our restora- 
tion. In our nature he fulfilled the law which 
we had broken, sustained the penalty due to 
our transgressions, and by his infinitely mer- 
itorious righteousness purchased the pardon 
of sin and everlasting life for all who believe 
in him. And he now sends his Spirit into the 
hearts of men, to convince them of guilt, to 
convert them to himself, to enlighten, sanc- 
tify, and comfort them, to qualify them for 
the enjoyment of a state of perfection and 
endless blessedness in the world to come, and 
enable them, while he continues them in this 
world, to perform all the duties of the Chris- 
tian life : to " do justly, love mercy, and walk 
humbly with their God." 



GRATITUDE. 69 

XIII. • 

Gratitude. 

Perhaps there is no one duty more ac- 
knowledged in words and neglected in practice 
than gratitude. Not only the openly vicious, 
who abuse the kindness of their heavenly 
Benefactor by profaneness, intemperance, 
Sabbath-breaking, and every iniquity, but 
those who allow in themselves murmuring, 
fretfulness, and discontent, betray the black 
ingratitude of the human heart. To assist 
in forming just views of our deficiency in 
this most important duty, let us inquire what 
we were, what we are, and what we hope 
to be. 

We are informed that man was made of 
the " dust of the ground." You were then 
once no better than a lump of clay, and must 
for ever have remained incapable of thought 
or enjoyment, had not the Almighty voice 
called you into life. The power who created 



70 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

all things might, if he had seen fit, as easily 
have made you reptiles as what yon are. 
Ton might now have been crawling worms, 
instead of human beings erect in stature and 
endued with the powers of reflection and ra- 
tional enjoyment; and had not goodness as 
well as power been exerted in your behalf, 
even this existence, exalted as it is, might 
have been miserable ; " every sound might 
have been grating, every scent nauseous, ev- 
ery sight shocking, every touch painful;" and 
when compelled to eat by the cravings of 
hunger, every thing you tasted might have 
been disgusting. Or, had you been deficient 
in any of your senses or limbs, how greatly 
would your enjoyment have been lessened. 
But among the many millions who inhabit 
the earth at once, instances of personal de- 
formity are rarely seen ; it seems as if divine 
Providence had scattered just enough of them 
over the world to awaken the rest to a sense 
of the invaluable privilege of a perfect form. 
Intense have been the labors of the curious 
for ages in developing the mysterious organ- 
ization and texture of the human fabric ; but 
notwithstanding all the researches that have 



GRATITUDE. 71 

been made, much still remains undiscov- 
ered. 

Yet the wonderful structure of our bod- 
ies, and the abundant variety which nature 
has furnished for their support and delight, 
form but an inferior grade in our scale of 
obligations. We are informed that man was 
made in the " image of God," that we are the 
honored temples of that Spirit who fills im- 
mensity, and that when He who created the 
world descended from his throne of glory, he 
assumed the human form. To what dignity 
have these astonishing condescensions of 
Deity exalted our nature. But when we 
turn our eyes within, when we attempt a 
survey of the treasures of the immortal mind, 
what wonders rush upon our view : Fancy, 
which disjoins, transposes, or creates at 
pleasure ; which dresses the world in smiles 
or shrouds it in mourning as she lists ; Imag- 
ination, which mounts beyond the stars, and 
pierces through the veil of worlds unseen ; 
Reason, which examines, compares, corrects, 
decides ; Affections, which can embrace the 
brotherhood of man, and rise to man's Cre- 
ator ; Will, which commands every power to 



72 A MOTHEB'S LEG-ACT. 

its standard, and subjugates the vL :le to its 
empire: add to these a capability -har- 

ness, pure, sublime, and lasting as eternity. 

Let- your bosoms gk h thankfulness 

for the bounties of your Go:' and begin uo^v 
the song of praise that shall sound through 
the conclave of heaven to a blissful eternitv. 



UNBELIEF. 73 



XIV 






Perhaps there is no one sin so offensive to 
J and ruinous to man as unbelief. I: : 
stagnant and fetid [ : :1. from which issue 
fog of pestilential vapors that lisordef the 
soul and deform the life. Or, :: shift the 
aphor, it is a most powerful engine :: 
our subtle adversary to undermine the hap- 
ping nan. Could mortal- mce be con- 
vinced of their immortality; could they be 
firmly persuaded that this life is only a pas- 
sage to another; could they believe that ::: 

ord, though^ and action they mi 
rem:" -.-:':: r the bar c 

Judge whom neither prejudice could warp d i 
hypocri- lecei ve : could they realize that a 
erable eternity hung on theii 
. what a wonderful difl 
should in the condi the world. 

I- The earth is 



74 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

full of witnesses. Every object we behold is 
a strong evidence, every passing moment 
lias a voice. Our lives are supported by an 
energy not our own ; our bodies are sus- 
tained with an aliment which we must starve 
before we could produce, and clothed with 
materials which we must freeze before we 
could create; yet how seldom do we ac- 
knowledge or even see the hand which sup- 
plies them. 

That there is a Being on whom we are de- 
pendent for our life and all its enjoyments, is 
evident from the light of nature. " The invis- 
ible things of Him," says the apostle, "from 
the creation of the world, are clearly seen, 
being understood by the things that are made, 
even his eternal power and Godhead." It 
would seem as if this belief was required even 
of heathen who knew not the gospel. But 
when the light of revelation has burst upon 
our sight; when it has discovered this al- 
mighty Creator as our Father and our Friend ; 
when it has given us a code of laws so wise, 
so perfect, that the observance of them would 
fill the earth with happiness ; when it has 
discovered our deep depravity in their viola- 



UNBELIEF. 75 

tion, the opposition of our hearts to all that 
is good, and the heavy condemnation which 
must inevitably follow such black apostasy — 
death demolishing the human structure, and 
eternal despair awaiting the never-dying soul ; 
when it has further unfolded a system of re- 
covery, of redemption, which fills all heaven 
with amazement and rapture ; when it reveals 
salvation for the most abandoned sinners, 
purchased with blood, blood which was of 
more value than all worlds, and freely offered 
to wash away the guilt of man ; when all this 
has been fully disclosed, what language can 
paint the enormity of unbelief. 

The continual changeableness of man in 
his pursuit of earthly good is a constant 
evidence of its unsatisfactory nature : he 
amasses, wealth, he multiplies luxuries, he 
varies amusements, he removes from city to 
city, from nation to nation ; he traverses the 
earth, he crosses the ocean in search of hap- 
piness, and each empty object invariably ex- 
claims, "It is not in me!" Disappointment 
strikes a damp on his heart, but it does not 
open his eyes ; all nature addresses him with 
invitations to seek its beneficent Author, but 



76 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

lie is like the deaf adder ; a starry crown is 
held over his head, but he will not behold it, 
for he is gathering sticks and stones to build 
him a snug nest, which will not shelter him 
from the coming storm. 

When mercies fail of their effect, judg- 
ments are sent : war, famine, pestilence stride 
through the world and lay the nations low, 
earthquakes shake the foundations on which 
we rest, and hurricanes rend the air with 
awful desolation. Witness that tremendous 
scene which so lately appalled us, and whose 
wide destructions are yet dreadfully visible. 
Where was then our refuge ; what our hope? 
Could men avert the fury of that element? 
Could the works of men withstand its force? 
Ah, at that moment we sensibly felt our im- 
potence and our dependence. Had the Hand 
which restrained the tempest unbridled its 
power, had the Being who commanded it to 
peace redoubled its strength, what would 
have been our forests, our villages, our cities, 
in one short hour, but a frightful, promiscu- 
ous heap of ruins ? 

And now, my children, ask your con- 
science whether you would feel safe to die 



UNBELIEF. 77 

in your present state ; and if the answer is 
unsatisfactory, hesitate no longer, but cast 
yourselves this moment into the arms of 
that Saviour who alone can secure you from 
endless misery, and conduct you to unspeak- 
able, inconceivable, never-ending blessed- 
ness. 



78 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 



XV. 

The Sabbath. 

Oke day's rest in seven is a wise and gra- 
cious ordination of our God. Were we obliged 
to labor incessantly for our bread, without 
this favorable intermission, our bodies would 
fail with fatigue and our souls sink with dis- 
couragement ; but the regular return of this 
precious season rests our tired limbs and re- 
cruits our wearied spirits. 

Yet let us remember, it was not given to 
be spent in sloth or dissipation. Our all- 
wise Creator never intended it should be 
wasted in stupid inactivity or sacrificed to 
vain amusements. It is to be employed. But 
its employments are calculated to soften our 
cares, exalt our affections, and cheer our 
hearts. 

Let us imagine the father of a family, 
possessed of an immense property, which he 
means in due time to distribute among his 
children. Let us suppose him placing them 



THE SABBATH. TO 

all at different their rank 

and fortune ; yet in order to prerent the for- 
fulness which absence might occasion, and 
isb the sentiments of filial love, invit- 
ing 3j 2nd one day 
in the vreek . day oi relaxation 
from their studies, a day of feasting and fam- 
ynient. We pose one of the 
lis invitation. He has taken 
to lo ^' an y; an ^ ^h-n the re-: of his 
family are assembled with gladness, enjoy- 
ing each other's society and the conversation 
and :t their delighted father, he skulks 
away with his nlthy companions,, to pass the 
in a manner that degrades himself and 
; ; itions. His brothers en- 
to dissuade him :.:— s: ml-r. 
and mention theii fears that, although their 
lei had as yet borne with him patiently 
in the h : h ; wc ul 1 return to his In 

lient, he would be 

:ut him off from all share 

nswers, h . wiU venture 

it : he shall n<: : duty; he will 

spend his time as -. Would you 

... . ..: tact the verv height of 



80 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

ingratitude and stupidity ? Yet far more stu- 
pid and more ungrateful is every one who 
lives under the light of the gospel, and turns 
aside on the Sabbath from the service of God. 

Nothing could have been better calculated 
for such fallible, forgetful creatures as we, 
than the institution of public worship : to 
hear our duty from the unerring word, have 
it pressed upon us by the friendly exhorta- 
tion, join in social prayer for grace to per- 
form it, and unite in the glad song of praise 
to our common Benefactor. 

Yet I am far from meaning that our devo- 
tions should be confined to the sanctuary. 
Religion is not one thing, and business an- 
other. Religion is to direct our business. 
The exercises of the Sabbath are to prepare 
us to discharge the duties of the week. If 
we misspend this day, we have no assurance 
that a blessing will accompany the rest. If 
the Sabbath, under the Jewish economy, was 
welcomed as a season of devout contempla- 
tion and sacred delight, in celebrating the 
wonders of creating power and love, with 
what feeling's ought we to meet it, as com- 
memorating that new and glorious creation 



THE SABBATH. 81 

which was " brought to light by the gospel :" 
the triumphant resurrection of that Saviour 
who on this day burst ^the bars of death, 
and opened the gates of immortal blessed- 
ness to a ruined world. 

Let it be kept as a holy jubilee, as a day of 
gladness and thankful praise. Let .gratitude 
to God be evinced by love to men. Hushed 
be every discordant feeling ; banished every 
dark, malignant passion to its native shades. 
Let us cherish every sentiment of social affec- 
tion, study every means to mitigate the suf- 
ferings and increase the enjoyments of our 
fellow-beings ; cheerfully perform every kind 
office of charity ; call into lively exercise the 
gentle virtues of patience, forbearance, for- 
giveness, humility ; search with believing at- 
tention the Scriptures of truth ; keep all the 
ordinances of our God, and thus evince our 
interest in that blessed Redeemer whose tri- 
umphs over death, hell, and sin we this day 
celebrate. " If thou draw out thy soul to the 
hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then 
shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy dark- 
ness be as the noonday." "If thou turn 
away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing 

Mother's Legacy. (j 



82 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

thy pleasure on rny holy day, and call the 
Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, hon- 
orable : and shalt honor him. not doing; thine 
own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, 
nor speaking thine own words ; then shalt 
thou delight thyself in the Lord ; and I will 
cause thee to ride upon the high places of 
the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of 
Jacob thy father : for the mouth of the Lord 
hath spoken it." 

•■In holy duties let the flay, 
In holy pleasures, pass away. 
How sweet a Sabbath thus to spend. 
In hope of one that ne*er shall end." 



TIME. 83 



XVI. 



Time. 

Although man is the only being to whom 
time is granted, perhaps there is no gift 
more unduly estimated or carelessly squan- 
dered. But however stupidly insensible we 
may be of its value, it is nevertheless an ines- 
timable treasure. It is the nail on which 
our immortal interests hang. It is the sea- 
son for planting that seed whose harvest is 
to be reaped in eternity. It is a conveyance 
which, if safely deposited, insures bliss in 
reversion. It is a check, if I may so speak, 
upon the bank of heaven, the sweet prelude 
to perfect harmony, the cheering dawn of 
everlasting day. 

But though a rich and precious blessing, 
time is also a sacred and important trust — 
a trust which we are every way capable of 
improving, and for the improvement of which 
we are strictly accountable. Every moment 
is a gift which should be employed in the 



84 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

service of the Giver ; and if it is not so em- 
ployed, it is worse than vrasted ; for it is rob- 
bing God of his right, and preparing a scourge 
which shall one day severely lash our con- 
sciences. 

Another consideration which should quick- 
en our diligence in duty is. that time is short. 
The work we have to do is immense ; the sea- 
son to do it in, a span. The smallest portion 
of time is invaluable, especially when we con- 
sider the rewards of obedience ; for so boun- 
tiful a Paymaster is our God, that the most 
accurate arithmetician could not cast the in- 
terest of one icell-spent hour. Again, it is not 
only short, but hastily passing away ; even 
while you grasp it, 't is gone ; the days and 
months and years that are past, are to us as 
though they had never been. 

Let us also remember, that when once past 
it will not return. If property is lost, it may 
be regained ; if even health is destroyed, it 
may be restored ; but when time is gone, it 
is a'one for ever. The hours which have been 
wasted at the shrine of vanity, or sacrificed 
in the service of vice, though ever so deeply 
regretted, will never come back to afford us 



TIME. 85 

another chance to improve them. They have 

sady winged their way to the court of 
heaven, and borne a faithful report of the 
manner in which they have been employed. 

We were made to glorify our Maker ; and 
if we refuse to answer the end of our crea- 
tion, we have nothing to expect but the pun- 
ishment due to rebels. Do not deceive your- 
selves with the idea that you are too young 
to do any thing for the honor of your Crea- 
tor. Every human being who is capable of 
moral action is capable of living to His honor. 
Were none accepted but those who perform 
that the world calls great, not one in a 
million would be saved. The bulk of man- 
kind have not opportunities to perform great 
at we are rewarded according to 
our improvement of the opportunities that 
are given. The hero who subdues the enemy 
of his * has done well ; but he who, 

m a principle of obedience, conquers a tur- 
:nt or fretful temper, has done as well, 

I perhaj ler. The hero may have 

fought to obtain renown ; but the Christian 
has opposed sin to please God. 

Perhaps you may think, that if you could 



86 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

establish a seminary of learning that would 
instruct thousands, or form a plan of govern- 
ment which would prove a lasting benefit to 
your country, you would attempt it with alac- 
rity ; but be assured, if you forgive an ene- 
my, if you return good for evil, if you sup- 
press a passionate word which was rising to 
your tongue, if your heart melts with pity 
over the sufferings of a fellow-creature, and 
you do all in your power to relieve him-, you 
are performing a service perhaps more pleas- 
ing to Him who sees your heart than if you 
had done a deed which gained the plaudits 
of an admiring world. That law whose ob- 
servance secures the bliss of angels is also 
granted to man ; and it is a law of love. It 
was the loss of this love that filled the world 
with misery, and introduced death among the 
human race ; and it is the absence of this love 
that darkens the infernal regions with the 
clouds of despair. 

To restore this love, with all its train of 
heavenly graces and refined enjoyments, to 
rebel man, the eternal Son of the eternal God 
forsook his glorious throne, performed a sor- 
rowful pilgrimage in this world of woe, and 



TIME. 87 

at length poured out his soul unto death. If 
then the salvation which was so dearly pur- 
chased is to be secured in this short space 
of existence, how diligently, how zealously, 
how watchfully ought we to improve the pres- 
ent moment. Let us realize that now is the 
" accepted time," now is the " day of salva- 
tion,"' and without delay comply with this 
merciful requisition : " To-day if ye will hear 
his voice, harden not your hearts." 

"To-day the prize is won ; 
The promise is to save : 
Then Oh be wise ; to-morrow's sun 
May shine upon your grave." 



88 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

XVII. 

View of the Divine Hand. 

"Almighty power, and equal skill, 
Shine through the worlds abroad ; 
Our souls with vast amazement fill, 
And speak the builder God." 

There are three methods in which the di- 
vine Being makes himself known to his crea- 
tures: namely, by the works of nature, the 
dispensations of providence, and the word of 
grace, xlnd although there are few in a Chris- 
tian land who deny that God is the author of 
nature and of the Scriptures, yet the dealings 
of his hand in the common occurrences of life 
are too little regarded even by Christians. 

There are some who are willing to own the 
general government of the Creator, but object 
to his particular providence ; that is, they ac- 
knowledge that he overrules and directs great 
things, such as the revolutions of seasons, the 
changes of day and night, and the rise and 
fall of empires, but not the small circumstan- 



VIEW OF THE DIVINE HAND. 89 

ces which mostly fill up the life of every man. 
This appears to me just as absurd as to say 
that God made the world, but not every little 
insect and spire of grass ; for the question 
naturally arises. Who then did make them? 
And as the changes which are ever taking 
place in human life are as much beyond ev- 
ery one's power as the revolutions of seasons, 
the same question may be urged with equal 
propriety, ;; If God does not order them, who 
does ?" 

To creatures like us, too blind to foresee 
and too impotent to control the smallest event, 
it is an unspeakable consolation that the Be- 
ing who is possessed of boundless power and 
infinite wisdom and goodness will vouchsafe 

superintend the concerns of our lives. It 
is a most unworthy apprehension of the om- 
nipotent and omniscient God, that any object 
can be too minute for his inspection, or too 
distant for his power to reach. TThat within 
the compass of immensity can escape His eye 
who fills heaven and earth ? 

But if we trace this infidelity to its source, 
I believe we shall find its origin in guilt. 
The creature unreconciled to God is unwill- 



90 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

ing to have all his actions, and even his se- 
cret thoughts and intentions, scrutinized by 
a Being of infinite perfection. Conscious of 
sin, he shrinks from the view of a purity which 
he feels must condemn him. and he chooses 
rather to throw off the restraints of reason, 
and persuade himself to believe an absurdity, 
than subject himself to a yoke which galls 
him. But the life of such a man is without 
rest and without hope; for the sins of his 
heart, the sorrows of his state, and the wants 
of his nature he has no resource. 

Let the providence and mercy of God be 
out of sight, and little but wretchedness is 
left for the children of men. But how differ- 
ent are the feelings* of the true believer. He 
too has his sins, his wants, and his sorrows ; 
but he pours his sorrows into the bosom of a 
Friend who he knows will relieve them; he 
spreads his wants before the eye of a Father 
who he trusts will supply them ; and he lays 
his sins at the feet of the only Being in the 
universe who can forgive them. " Seek, and 
ye shall find/' is a command and a promise; 
let us see to it that we do our part, and God 
will not fail in doing his. His benediction 



VIEW OF THE DIVINE HAND. 91 

will sweeten every cup of sorrow, till we shall 
finally look back upon the wondrous meth- 
ods of Providence from the beatific heights 
of immortality, with "joy unspeakable and 
full of glory.' 5 

"Assisted by His grace, 

We still pursue our way. 
And hope at last to reach the prize, 
Secure in endless day." 



92 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 



XVIII. 

The Fall and Recovery of JVLan. 

As far as we are capable of judging, there 
must have been a period when no being ex- 
isted but the eternal God; when there was 
not a star to sparkle in the firmament of 
heaven, nor an angel to hymn in concert 
with his brother angel a Creator's praise. 
Millions and millions of ages before the sun 
lighted up his fires, or a planet rolled round 
the glorious orb, the Almighty "had existed 
from eternity. 5 ' At his command, myriads 
of beings sprung into life and joy. This 
earth arose in all its beauty, peopled with 
innumerable inhabitants of every size, from 
the huge elephant that stalks in the forest to 
the puny nations which inhabit the leaf or 
sport in a drop of water. 

Man at length was created in the image ol 
his Maker, perfect in beauty, perfect in soul, 
possessed of every intellectual endowment to 
render him wise and good and happy. The 



FALL AND RECOVERY OF MAN. 93 

earth was given into his hand. Every " beast 
of the field and every fowl of the air" the % 
Lord God " brought unto Adam to see what 
he would call them; and whatsoever Adam 
called every living creature, that was the 
name thereof." Of all the vast variety of 
delicious fruits which grew in the garden of 
Eden, but one was prohibited; one was re- 
served to prove his obedience. Happy in 
himself, happy in his beloved wife, happy in 
the prospect of a numerous race of sons and 
daughters, who should by and by throng the 
flowery walks of paradise, repose in its fra- 
grant, shady bowers, and join with him and 
Eve in making the air of Eden resound with 
songs of praise to Him "who maketh the 
outgoings of the morning and evening to 
rejoice," and above all, enjoying the sweet- 
est communion with a smiling God, is it not 
beyond measure astonishing that he should 
for a moment forget all his obligations, with 
the most daring presumption break through 
his. only restriction, and eat the forbidden 
fruit ? He turned away from God and from 
happiness. He plunged himself into guilt, 
and of course misery. He fell, and the hu- 



94 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

man race fell with hini. Alas, how soon was 
the aspect of things altered. "What must 
have been the astonishment of our first par- 
ents, to behold those animals which were wont 
to gambol around them, sportive and gentle 
as the mountain lamb, changed to ferocious 
and deadly enemies, ready to hunt their 
lives. How alarmed at the first sensation of 
pain in bodies which had never experienced 
an uneasy sensation ; and how terrified to 
know it was a prelude to death — death, 
which they had never seen, and never before 
dreaded. But all the natural evils which fell 
thick around them bore no comparison to 
their spiritual ruin. The image of God was 
withdrawn, sin had taken possession of their 
souls, and they were fit only to bp cast away 
from their adorable Creator, and plunged into 
deserved destruction. 

At this awful crisis the merciful Being who 
was afterwards nailed to Calvary's cross, 
and poured out his spotless soul in agony, 
appeared for the rescue of self-ruined man. 
" Deliver him from going down to the pit; I 
have found a ransom." Here was love stron- 
ger than death. The promise of God was 



FALL AND RECOVERY OE MAN. 95 

now made to Adam, that the seed of the 
woman should bruise the serpent's head. 
Glorious promise ! full of hope, full of con- 
solation; a promise which has extended to 
this very moment, and shall be extended to 
the last being who shall be born upon earth. 

Our first father rebelled against his God, 
and subjected himself to death. Every one 
of us have trod in his footsteps. Our divine 
Redeemer bore the punishment of our guilt, 
and rescued us from the power of the grave. 
"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall 
all be made alive;" and how was all this 
accomplished? By leaving the heaven of 
heavens, where he had been supremely happy 
before all worlds were made, and descending 
to our earth to obey the laws of God ; to suf- 
fer, to die in our stead. 

As an infinite Being, he was capable of 
sustaining the punishment due to the sins of 
a world. I believe it utterly impossible for 
finite minds to comprehend the agonies which 
Jesus Christ endured for sinful man. Look 
at your past lives, recollect your thousand 
provocations of God and your aggravated 
wickedness, and then view it all laid upon 



96 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

that clear and patient Sufferer who, when he 
had borne the full measure of vengeance due 
to all your guilt, and not till then, "'bowed 
his head and gave up the ghost/' Well might 
the devout poet exclaim. 

'•Sun. didst thou fly thy Maker's pain, or start 
At that enormous ~ri_l_: of human guilt 
Which bowed his bless 1 head, made m::m rim centre. 
Burst earth's marble womb — with pangs, strange pangs, 

Delivered of her Head? Hell howled — and heaven 
The: hoar Let mil :. bear : heaven wepflj 
That man mirh: smile — Imam:: bled. 
Fhat man mi_ht never die." 

By this great propitiation, innumerable 
blessings which sin had forfeited are re- 
stored. When duly impressed with this 
truth, with what humble thankfulness should 
we receive our mercies. When we sit down 
to our richly-laden tables, what would be our 
feelings if we recollected. 

•■ Them 'snot a gift his hand t est 
B-.;: cost his heart 

Should we be inclined to murmur, think you, 
if any desired luxury was wanting? Let u> 
blush for our past ingratitude, and each one 
exclaim in the language of an ancient saint, 
' ; I am less than the least of all thv mercies/' 



FALL AND RECOVERY OF MAN. 97 

Yet this world and all its variety of enjoy- 
ments, the possession of life and health, the 
benefits of air, food, clothing, the harmony 
of sounds, the beauty of prospects, the en- 
dearing intercourse of friends, and all the 
wonderful variety of pleasures contained- in 
each of these blessings separately considered, 
are but a small, a very small part, of the 
bounty of Jehovah, of the purchase of our 
.Redeemer. They are less than a drop to the 
fathomless ocean, when compared with the 
immense, the inconceivable, the ever-endur- 
ing, ever-increasing blessedness of the heav- 
enly world. 

Expand all your powers of thought, stretch 
your imagination to its utmost limits, rise on 
fancy's eagle-wing, and soar beyond the un- 
seen suns which enlighten unknown worlds, 
and then conceive of a glorious creation as 
much excelling this in beauty as the orb of 
day outshines the glimmering taper ; think 
of beings as much superior to men in loveli- 
ness and excellence as perfection is above de- 
pravity ; then make one strong effort, exert 
all the ardor of your souls to lift a thought 
to Him who fills immensity, and reflect that, if 



98 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

you become the servants of Jesus, that glo- 
rious world will be your blissful residence, 
those perfect beings your affectionate com- 
panions, and that Almighty God your ever- 
lasting Friend. But if you neglect this great 
salvation, if you trample on the blood of a 
dying Saviour, what inconceivable distress 
awaits you ! Seek him now, my children ; 
accept his mercy while it is yet offered, lest 
you hear at last these soul-rending words : 
" Depart from me, all ye that work iniquity." 

" Come unto me," and tread trie way, 
The only way to mortals given, 
That leads to an eternal day, 
That brings you to the promised heaven. 

"Come unto me ;" for you that strain 
In realms of light to God shall rise, 
In joy that, freed from sin and pain, 
Your spirit enters paradise. 

"Come unto me ;" for you in heaven 
Remains a pure, eternal day ; 
The perfect rest to virtue given, 
The crown ' ' that fadeth not away. " 



PUTUBE LIFE. 99 



XIX . 

Future Life. 

Lite is so short, eternity so certain, and 
onr conduct in the world of so much impor- 
tance, that it cannot be impertinent to pi 
upon your attention again and again a sub- 
ject of all the most interesting to every hu- 
man soul. Youth is so prone to look for- 
ward with ardor for enjoyments it will never 
• possess — it is so apt to overrate expected 
good, and to pursue pleasures which exist 
but in anticipation, with an energy which 
ou2"ht to be directed onlv to the lasting con- 
perns of a future life, that it needs "line upon 
line" and "precept upon precept" to check 
its impetuous career, and bring it back to the 
sober paths of virtue and religion. A future 
life should be continually kept in view, and 
all our efforts bent to secure the felicity of 
that state which is to endure for ever. For 
ever! what a vast idea does this word convey : 



100 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

happy or miserable for ever! If the life to 
come were as transient as this — if it were 
even to last millions of ages, and then ex- 
pire — the preparation for it would be of 
infinitely less consequence than it now is. 
Whose heart does not beat with delight at 
the prospect of perfect happiness which shall 
never have an end? What breast does not 
freeze with terror at the thought of everlast- 
ing despair ? Let us climb the utmost heights 
of imagination, and stretch our view as far as 
thought can pierce over the immense, unfath- 
omable gulf till the soul grows giddy at the 
prospect, still, still we have but entered the 
very confines of eternity. When all that we ■ 
can conceive of duration has rolled away, the 
immeasurable future is yet to come. 

And it comes; even now it hastens on the 
"wings of the wind" to crush us beneath the 
weight of unutterable woe, or to crown us 
with the garlands of immortal blessedness. 
Is it then of little consequence whether we 
are prepared to meet it with acclamations of 
joy, or groans of anguish ? The prophecies 
of Scripture are fast fulfilling. The convul- 
sions of nations and the rapid succession of 



FUTURE LIFE. 101 

events are urging to a close all sublunary 
things. Ere long that trumpet will sound 
which shall awake the dead, and we shall be 
spectators of a scene far different from any 
we have ever yet witnessed. The myriads 
of beings who have existed and will exist, 
from Adam to the last infant of the human 
race, will be assembled together. The hol- 
low earth will be unpeopled of her multitude 
of slumbering inhabitants, and the vast ocean 
will disgorge the millions who have been hid 
for ages in its gloomy caverns. 

Before the bar of God this amazing con- 
course of beings will be summoned to be 
"judged, every man according to his works/' 
Then shall this mighty fabric be enveloped in 
devouring fire. Where are now the wonders 
of art which astonished mankind? Where the 
jtmids, the statues, the magnificent build- 
ings which have been the wonder of ages ? 
Where are the populous and busy cities of 
Europe, Asia, and America? All crumbled 
together in one general wreck. Where are 
the fleets which guarded kingdoms and whit- 
ened the bosom of the deep ? Alas, they feed 
the flame which enwraps the world. At this 



102 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

tremendous moment, where shall the guilty 
fly? Fame, honor, riches are bubbles which 
have burst in air. Every earthly prop has 
fallen : there is no shelter, no refuge for the 

naked soul, but the all-protecting arms of a 
Redeemer. Thither indeed may the sinner 
flee who has made that Saviour his Friend. 
And this infinitely important transaction is 
to take place in time. "Who then will dare 
delay? Who will venture to protract this 
most interesting preparation till to-mor- 
row ? 

And what is this preparation, my children ? 
It is not a tedious round of formal observ- 
ance, of cruel penances, of empty ceremonies ; 
no, it is the surrender of the affections, the 
acquiescence of the will. Not the forced sub- 
jection of terrified slaves, but the cheerful 
obedience of thankful children. Is it wise to 
refuse a service so reasonable and so pleas- 
ant ; especially when we consider that the 
benign Being who has graciously said. ' ; ^SLt 
son, give me thy heart." has not hesitated 
to grant us the most unequivocal proofs of 
his love to us, not only in the blessings of 
this life, which are not shed in drops, but 



FUTUKE LIFE. 103 

poured in showers upon us ; but in the sacri- 
fice of his precious Son, the darling of his 
soul, to save us from perdition ? 

"How may we meet our conflict yet, 
In the dark and nairow way ? 
How, but through Him that path who trod? 
Save, or we perish, Son of God." 



101 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 



XX. 

Future Punishment. 

It is doubtless a fact that death does not 

change the heart, it only fixes man in the 
state in which it finds him : a most awful and 
solemn thought. What being is so sunk in 
depravity, so wedded to vice, as to feel will- 
ing to be vicious to all eternity. Who that 
has ever experienced the stings of envy, ha- 
tred, or rage, could bear the idea of being 
scourged by these tormenting passions for 
ever. Yet this must inevitably be the state 
of every soul from whom the light and love* 
of God are finally withdrawn. The mind can- 
not conceive, much less pen describe, the hor- 
ror and despair of such a state ; nor would 
we indulge so painful a medita I >ut from 

the hope that it may be profitable. Let us 
a moment then dwell on this scene of woe 



FUTURE PUNISHMENT. 105 

while yet there is a possibility of escape. A 
celebrated English poet has these remarkable 
words : 

"Dark demons I discharge, and hydra stings ; 
The keen vibration of bright truth is hell, 
When truth resisted long is sworn our foe, 
And calls eternity to do her right." 

Among the evils which we suffer in this 
world, none are so insupportable as those 
which we feel we have brought upon our- 
selves by our own misconduct. What then 
must be the anguish of a lost soul from the 
reflection that the misery he suffers might, 
by a timely attention, have been avoided. A 
recollection of the blessings he has abused, 
and which are now departed, the warnings 
he has disregarded, the voice of conscience 
he has stifled, the opportunities of recovery 
which he has neglected, and which have for 
*ever gone by, the invitations of mercy which 
he has rejected, and which will be repeated 
no more, must add bitterness to his despair. 
If, added to all this, he should have the dread- 
ful consciousness of having been the means of 
brinoino- others into the same state of suffer- 

o o 

ing, and perhaps those whom he once loved, 



106 [OTHEB'S LEGACY, 

the anguish of Lis reflections must be alto- 
gether inconceivable. 

How should this thought awaken us to the 
most cautious watchfulness of our words and 
actions among those who mar be influenced 
by our opinion or example. But let not yoni 
high responsibility, nor the important conse- 
quences of your conduct, di : u :: : m 
the performance of your duties. Let it rather 
stimulate you to the utmost did: 
attention in this performance; for though ;. 
course of incorrigible wickedness will Barely 
be punished, yet every sine:: : effort :: serve 
God will as certainly be accepted and re- 
warded. What, every effort? Yes. my chil- 
dren; every — the smallest act of obedience 
done for the glory of your Creator will not 
be forgotten; for has not our Saviour' assured 
us that if any one gives a " cup of cold wa- 
ter'* for his sake, "he shall in no wise lose 
his reward?" If this apparently little act of 
obedience shall be n rewarded. 
what an immensity of happiness mus 
a whole life filled with usefulness. 
, Oh, could I recall the years I have care- 
lessly spent, methinks every moment should 



FUTURE PUNISHMENT. 107 

be employed in some new duty done for God. 
With me that wish is vain. But with you, 
the firm resolve to dedicate yourselves to the 
service of your Maker, would be the begin- 
ning of immeasurable happiness. Do you 
see it an arduous task? Do you feel your- 
selves unequal to the work ? Let me then 
direct you — rather, let the word of truth di- 
rect you: " Search the Scriptures;" pray for 
assistance. "If any of you lack wisdom, 5 ' 
says the divine oracle, " let him ask of God, 
who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraid- 
not, and it shall be given him. 5 ' Begin with 
applying this merciful word, and let not a 
day pass without seeking for this heavenly 
wisdom. 

I have, on a former evening, given you 
my thoughts on the duty of prayer. I hope 
you will remember them. Do you think you 
have no time to pray — that business has a 
prior claim ? Oh, my children, prayer is your 
first business. Heaven is purchased by the 
blood of a suffering Saviour, who will- bestow 
a spirit of love on every soul that seeks it 
and this spirit will enable you to perform 
every duty acceptably. 



108 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

He will give you power over all your sin- 
ful propensities, strengthen you to fight with 
your spiritual enemies, give you the victory, 
and then crown you as conquerors. Who 
would hesitate to enlist under such a Com- 
mander ? Be entreated not to delay this all- 
important work. Youth is yours, but youth 
is fast passing away. Should you even be 
spared to the age of man, even threescore 
years and ten, upon a retrospective view, 
will " dwindle to a point." But few, very few 
arrive at that age. You may be cut off in 
early life ; and should this be the case, how 
delightful would be the reflection that you 
had made sure of an eternal Friend. 

The world has nothing in comparison with 
a state like this ; its pleasures pall upon the 
sense, its wealth perishes in the using, its 
honors evaporate in air. But the treasures 
of eternity are exhaustless mines, for ever* 
and for ever opening to view. They are 
unfathomable fountains, continually pouring 
forth streams of bliss, which water the whole 
paradise of God. The verdure of that land 
never fades, the trees never shed their leaves, 
the fruit withers not. The hungry appetite 



FUTURE PUNISHMENT. 109 

may there be abundantly satisfied, the thirsty 
soul may drink its fill; the feast is spread by 
the hand of infinite love, and the invitation 
is to all. " The Spirit and the bride say, 
Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. 
And let him that is athirst come, xlnd who- 
soever will, let him take the water of life 
freely." 



110 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 



XXI. 

Three Natures of Man. 

Man may be considered as a being com- 
posed of three distinct natures : corporeal, 
mental, and spiritual. The first he possesses 
in common with the beasts of the field ; they 
enjoy like him the pleasure of hearing, see- 
ing, smelling, and tasting ; but this is the 
extent of their enjoyment. 

The second, or intellectual nature, is the 
eminence which raises man above the brute' 
creation. It is the power which reflects, 
compares, arranges, and associates. It is 
the power of mind, to which his inferior fac- 
ulties are in subjection. By this he can dive 
into the secrets of nature, and explore the 
wonders of the universe. .He can calculate 
the size, distance, and motion of the heav- 
enly bodies, and examine the fibres of the 
minutest plant. He can penetrate the deep 



THREE NATUBES OF MAX. Ill 

recesses of the earth, and pluck the solid gold 
from its dark abode ; level stately forests, 
and turn mighty rivers from their ancient 
course ; plant populous cities in the lonely 
desert, and ride upon the ocean billows. He 
can look back on the first man who was cre- 
ated, and forward to the last who shall be 
born ; cast an eye of retrospection on the 
world as it "rose in loveliness" from the 
depths of chaos, and contemplate its awful 
state in the final conflagration. Yet all this 
he can do without one spark of virtue. It is 
knowledge and power, but is neither good nor 
evil if unconnected with the soul. 

This leads us to consider his third or spir- 
itual nature, which takes him up where the 
others leave him; and immensely does it rise 
above his other natures in dignity and ca- 
pacity of bliss. This is the nature which 
allies him to God, and to this both his other 
natures should be in subordination. The 
disappointment and regret which darken 
society and becloud the icce of many, is in 
consequence of his woful mistake in fixing 
his attention upon objects on which his best 
nature cannot rest. He may crowd his head 



112 A MOTHEE'S LEGACY. 

with science and his coffers with gold, multi- 
ply his pleasures like the sand, and load with 
his name the wings of every wind, yet the 
poor soul will sicken and starve ; and why ? 
because she is immortal ; she feels that she 
shall live for ever, and she cannot feed on 
dying joys; she is capable of a pure and 
permanent felicity, and she pants for bliss 
exalted as her nature, endless as her dura- 
tion. Thq. wise and beneficent Author of our 
existence has attached happiness only to vir- 
tue. In boundless goodness he has given us 
a susceptibility of those enjoyments in which 
he delights. His nature is love, and he has 
graciously ordained that in love alone we 
shall obtain blessedness. " God made man 
upright." 

It would therefore seem that virtue is the 
soul's native element. But when we do vio- 
lence to its nature by contracting its desires, 
limiting its pursuits, corrupting its affections, 
and subjecting its energies to the tyranny of 
our inferior powers, is it surprising that dis- 
appointment and wretchedness are the con- 
sequence ? Yet all this has sin done ; and 
hence the mass of evils which have been ac- 



THREE NATURES OF MAN. 113 

cumulating on the earth from the fall of Adam 
to the present sad hour. 

But though wicked and miserable, we are 
not left hopeless. The benign gospel has 
provided and revealed a method by which 
the mighty ruin may be repaired, and degen- 
erate man restored to a state of excellence 
and happiness even greater than that from 
which he fell. Here then is a standard under 
which every power of body and faculty of 
mind may enlist and find their proper em- 
ployment. If benevolence is the motive and 
usefulness the object, we cannot be too ac- 
tive. Let arts and sciences be cultivated; 
let knowledge and wealth be increased ; let 
every means be seized which our abilities 
can embrace to honor God by doing good to 
men. Let the base principle of self-aggran- 
dizement be dismissed to the regions from 
whence it sprung. Let the scholar pursue 
his studies with the generous design of en- 
riching the minds of his fellow-beings ; the 
ingenious artificer exert his powers of inven- 
tion for the benefit of society; the wise legis- 
lator use his utmost endeavors to establish 
"justice and judgment and equity;" and even 

Mother's Legacy. Q 



114: A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

he who earns liis bread by the sweat of his 
brow strive to obtain more than a supply for 
his own wants, " that he may have to give 
to him that needeth" — this would be the 
soul's proper stand ; she would thus feel 
her true dignity. The struggles after hap- 
piness which had heretofore proved invaria- 
bly abortive, would now become invariably 

, successful. 

When our designs accord with those of our 
Creator, they cannot but prosper. No action 
would be then unimportant, because it would 
aim at promoting the same blessed end, the 
glory of God and the good of men. No one 

. may plead inability, for there is work fitted 
to every one's capacity. In building an edi- 
fice, the humble laborer who lays the lowest 
stone in its foundation does as real a service 
as he who rears its loftiest pillar. Let us 
then enter without delay this field of action. 
Let all selfish views be laid aside for ever, 
and the heart go forth " in the delightfulness 
of its desire to bless." . If duty might seem 
hard, let us look at Him who left the heaven 
of heavens to suffer and die for sinners, and 
animated by that bright example, learn to 



THREE NATURES OF MAN. 115 

make sacrifices cheerfully. Let the ah 

9 of the time in which we have to act 
stimulate as to the most vigorous exertions 

in its improvement, that when life shall 
close, the immortal soul may not complain 
that we have fed her with vanities, and rn- 
3 her for ever. 



116 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 



XXII. 



p- 



ETROSPECTION. 

Another year, my children, has rolled from 
the measure of your lives, and advanced you 
»a year nearer to the world of spirits. Thou- 
sands in this short period have been sum- 
moned to that dread tribunal from which 
there is no appeal, to " give an account of 
the deeds done in the body," and some of 
your acquaintances among the number, who 
were, not long since, as gay and joyous as 
3 T ourselves. Their earthly cares and hopes 
and projects of happiness are now at an end. 
The vanities that once allured them are for- 
gotten ; the pleasures which once appeared 
so inviting have lost their power to charm, 
and they have now no further interest in the 
things that once engaged their attention than 
as they improved them to the glory of God, 
or abused them to his dishonor. If they 
listened to the voice of instruction, if they 
obeyed the word of God, and attended to the 



RETKOSPECTION. 117 

dictates of conscience, new scenes of bliss 
have opened to their view, a bliss which no 
human tongue can describe or heart con- 
ceive, and which will never, never have an 
end. When millions and millions of ages are 
gone by, their happiness will be still begin- 
ning. But if they shut their ears to the calls 
of wisdom, if they rejected the overtures of 
mercy, if they lived and died in wilful rebel- 
lion against their Creator and Redeemer, 
what can paint their misery ? Would it not 
have been "better for them if they had never 
been born?" But whatever may be their 
state, their exit demands your improvement. 
While they are taken, you are spared. Surely 
it is the truest wisdom to employ the fleeting 
moments, which are in haste to be gone, in 
the service of the Giver, to take a retrospec- 
tive view of your lives, and inquire how they 
have been spent, in order to awaken your 
diligence in improving what yet remains. 

"'Tis greatly wise to talk with our past hours, 
And ask thern what report they bore to heaven, 
And how they might have borne more welcome news." 

Look at the variety of mercies which have 
been granted you the past year : the preser- 



118 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

vation of your lives, general health, a plenti- 
ful supply of the bounties of the divine Hand, 
comfortable and decent clothing, a pleasant 
habitation continued for your accommoda- 
tion, while hundreds not far distant have been 
driven from their homes by the devastations 
of fire, and cast shelterless upon the world ; 
and above all, a blessed Bible to direct you 
in the way of eternal life, while many wretch- 
ed heathen have never so much as heard of 
the God who made them. 

And then consider what return you have 
made to your Father in heaven for blessings 
so multiplied, for kindness so unwearied. In 
the examination of your past lives you can- 
not remember all your actions, but you can 
remember the general course and design of 
them ; and upon serious recollection you can 
discover whether you have endeavored to be 
more obedient to God the last year than for- 
merly ; whether you have broken off any sins 
that you once practised, kept any good reso- 
lutions which you once made, perhaps when 
your consciences accused you, and your 
minds were awakened to "consider your 
ways;" whether you have tried to "do just- 



RETROSPECTION. 119 

ly," to "love mercy," and "to walk humbly," 
since I gave my ideas of these duties, or felt 
just as careless and indifferent as ever. In- 
tentions to reform are not reformation ; res- 
olutions must be carried into effect, or they 
will avail nothing ; and it is as easy to put 
them in practice to-day as at any future 
time ; nay, it will in all probability be ea- 
sier, for the continuation of evil habits will 
strengthen sinful propensities and weaken 
good resolutions. A sin long indulged is 
harder to be broken off than when it was 
first allowed ; the longer you delay, the more 
difficult will be your task. 

There are some sins which must be pre- 
vented by avoiding the occasion of them, or 
what a judicious writer calls the " tempta- 
tions to temptation :" for instance, if you feel 
an uncharitable spirit which will sometimes 
incline you to speak evil of your fellow-crea- 
tures, you should refrain from the company 
of those who are fond of slander, and asso- 
ciate with persons who are cautious of blam- 
ing others, and then you will not be under so 
great temptation to indulge your natural in- 
clination. Or, if you are inclined to intern- 



120 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

perance, you should carefully avoid the com- 
pany of those who drink, and by this means 
you may escape the commission of many a 
sin. But whatever be your prevailing sins, 
you should make it your business to dis- 
cover, and when discovered, to overcome 
them, or you will never be happy even in 
this world. There can be no felicity for a 
rational being without rational conduct, and 
all conduct is irrational which opposes relig- 
ion. That we may be all governed by this 
blessed religion in this world, and taste the 
inconceivable joj^s which are its sure and 
certain reward in the next, let us solemnly 
entreat of Him who is ever ready to help 
those who come to him. 

"Our sins rise up in dread array, 

And fill our hearts "with shame and fear ; 
Onr trembling spirits melt away, 
But find no friend or helper near. 

"Offences rise where'er I look, 

But I confess their guilt to thee : 
Blot my transgressions from thy book ; 
Wash me from all iniquity." 



RESIGNATION. 121 



XXIII. 

RESIGNATION TO God's WlLL. 

How sweet to be allowed to pray 

To God the holy One ; 
"With filial love and trust to say, 

"O God, thy will be done." 

Oh teach rny heart the blessed way 
1 To imitate thy Son ; 

Teach me, God, in truth to pray, 
" Thy will, not mine, be done." 

Where a spirit of discontent prevails, ev- 
ery virtue languishes and every duty is par- 
tially performed. Love to God, humility, and 
gratitude are doubtless important duties; but 
how can we be grateful or humble when, in- 
stead of realizing that we have ten thousand 
blessings which we deserve not, we feel as if 
we had not so many as we ought to have ; 
and how can we love a Being who we think 
deals so hardly with us ? If we had a due 
sense of our unworthiness, of our forgetful- 



122 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

ness of our Benefactor, our iinniindfulness of 
his providences, our disobedience of his com- 
mands, our ingratitude for his mercies, our 
disbelief of his threatenings, our want of trust 
in his promises, and our various abuses of 
his favors, so far from murmuring, we should 
be astonished at his forbearance. 

If his mercy was not commensurate with 
his power, we should not be suffered to repeat 
our provocations of the Majesty of heaven; 
our forfeited lives would have been yielded 
long ere now to the stroke of vengeance, and 
we should be lamenting our aggravated re- 
bellions in the regions of darkness. A dis- 
position to receive all the allotments of prov- 
idence with tranquillity and cheerfulness is 
not more a duty than a pleasure ; indeed a 
discontented spirit has more guilt in it than 
some well-meaning people are aware of; it is 
in effect calling in question the wisdom and 
goodness of God, and implies that if we had 
the government of things, matters would be 
better managed. This uneasy disposition 
not only discovers a want of confidence in 
our Maker, but gross ignorance of ourselves; 
for if we considered that we could not dis- 



RESIGNATION. 123 

cern an inch, before us, and therefore were 
utterly incapable of directing future events, 
we should not be quite so anxious to take the 
disposal of them out of his hand, who seeth 
the end from the beginning. If we credit the 
declarations of Scripture, we must believe 
that the Being who condescends to notice 
the fall of a sparrow, and to number the hairs 
of our head, will not disregard the minutest 
circumstance which may in any wise affect 
the happiness of his rational creatures. Nor 
can we doubt whether He who guides the 
planets and controls the seasons is capable 
of ordering with perfect fitness the events of 
our lives. Yet we seem unwilling to confide 
our interests to his disposal; and to have no 
distrust of our own ivisdom in forming plans 
which we lament our want of power to exe- 
cute, although we have been often convinced 
that the disappointment of our schemes has 
proved highly beneficial to us, and that some- 
times when they have been permitted to suc- 
ceed, we have realized the truth of the poet's 
assertion, that 

" Our very wishes give. us not our wish." 



124 ' A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

As the wisdom of our Creator is evident 
from all his works, both of creation and prov- 
idence, so is his goodness equally manifest in 
his dealings with all his creatures ; nor can 
we doubt his kindness to man when we con- 
sider that he gave us this beautiful world, 
and stored it with such an abundance of ma- 
terials for our support and comfort. Do we 
want sustenance? bread springs from the 
earth, and presents itself to our hand. Is 
this too simple? the beasts of the field, the 
fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea are 
given us for meat. Do we wish for variety ? 
vegetables of every description crowd the 
soil for our gratification. Must we have lux- 
uries? fruits of delicious flavor are suspended 
from the trees, folded in the bushes, or clus- 
tered in the vine for our delight. Do we 
want clothing? the field resigns its covering, 
the lamb yields his fleece, and the silk-worm 
spins her delicate thread for our accommo- 
dation. Are we fond of music ? the brook 
gurgles sweetly as it flows, the leaves mur- 
mur to the playful breeze, and the birds 
swell their little throats in harmony. Do 
we wish for the enjoyments of vision? we 



RESIGNATION. 125 

have but to lift the eve, and the beauties of 
nature rush upon our sight from above, be- 
low, around, in overwhelming lovelinr. 

And are these all? Oh no ; these are but 
a part, a very scanty part of the ings 

which A y goodness has prepared for 

man. TL:> world, charming as it is, is but a 
passage to a better. If the beneficent Being, 
in whose hands we are, has so bountifully 
provided for our comfort in the state that is 
passing away ; if he has also reserved an in- 
heritance blissful beyond all human concep- 
tion for his obedient children; is it not the 
basest ingratitude to murmur at his dispen- 
sations,, and. the height of stupidity to form 
a wish for the least alteration in his allot- 
ments? Let us resolve henceforth to resign 
ourselves wholly to his guidance, from a full 
belief that all the evil which has deformed 
this world of beauty is in consequence of sin, 
and that every .ion and every disap- 

pointment is intended by him who knows our 
frame to purify our hearts, to recover us to 
that state from which we have fallen, and 
prepare us fur the exalted society and refined 
enjoyments of the heavenly world. Let us 



I2G A jIOTHEP/S legacy. 

submit ourselves to Lis disposal with that 
entireness of resignation which is the stron- 
gest proof of loyalty to our rightful Sover- 
eign, vath the firm persuasion that, as he wills 
that we should be good and happy, so, that 
our wills should accord vrith his, is our truest 
interest, and will assuredly issue in our final 
salvation. 

' ' Lord, my God. do thou thy wUl ; 

I will lie still, 
I ytHI not stir. lest I forsake thine arm, 

And break the charm 
WMch lulls me, clinging to my Father's breast, 

In perfect rest." 



TRUST IN GOD. 127 



XXIV. 

Trust in pOD. 

"My soul trusteth in thee; yea, in the shadow of thy 
wings will I make my refuge." Psa. 57. 

Though o'er the path the cloud I see, 
Trusting. I turn my eye to thee ; 
And tread, unharmed, the wave-washed strand, 
Supported by thy guiding hand. 

The service clue from the creature to the 
Creator is not a mere external attendance 
upon forms ; it is not a ceremonious set of 
prayers, a hasty reading of the -Scriptures, 
or abstaining from the commission of some 
particular vices; but it is a resignation of the 
heart ; it is a principle which extends to ev- 
ery action, word, and thought. It influences 
the desires and feelings of the inmost soul. 
It includes reverence, love, gratitude, confi- 
dence. And if we have a right view of the 
character of God, we shall readily acknow- 



128 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

ledge that lie is infinitely worthy of all these 
delightful exercises of the heart in their high- 
est degree. 

"When we lift our thoughts to that glorious 
Being whose word created, whose power up- 
holds, and whose wisdom governs, not this 
system only, but all the systems in the uni- 
verse — a universe of such illimitable extent, 
that a mighty world, when seen from our 
earth, appears like a twinkling speck ; when 
we consider that he has created myriads of 
beings for the sole purpose of bestowing hap- 
piness ; that he preserves and blesses all or- 
ders of existence, from the lofty angels who 
" excel in strength," to the minim family 
which inhabits the leaf, how can we withhold 
our reverential love. But when we take a 
nearer and more endearing view of our God; 
when we consider him not only as the Cre- 
ator of all worlds, but as our Creator; -and 
not only our Creator, but our Father, our 
Friend, and our Redeemer ; that when we had 
covered ourselves with crime, and destroyed 
our souls, he not only pitied, but died for us ; 
took our nature upon him, that he might be 
capable of suffering, and opened his spotless 



TRUST IN GOD. 129 

breast to receive the deadly weapon which 
pointed at our guilty souls ; that by his right- 
eous life and bitter death he has purchased 
for us all temporal blessings here and thrones 
of bliss in heaven — what heart that is not im- 
penetrable as adamant, but must bow to his 
yoke. 

Another sentiment which I mentioned as 
contained in piety, is confidence ; in this we 
are all greatly deficient. And perhaps the 
want of no one religious principle more be- 
trays our ignorance of the character of our 
God. "We lean on the world, though it has 
always disappointed us ; we depend on our 
hearts, though they have deceived us times 
innumerable ; but we are afraid to trust in 
that Being who has never failed us. How 
many times has he preserved us when our 
lives have been in imminent danger; how 
often healed our sickness, relieved the pains 
of our bodies, and calmed the anxieties of 
our minds ; how constantly supplied our 
wants, and how patiently borne with our ag- 
gravated rebellions. Oh, had we our deserts 
for our black ingratitude to such a Benefac- 
tor, our lives, instead of being sometimes 

Mother's Legacy, 9 



130 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

clouded with transient sorrow, would-be con- 
stantly overwhelmed with the deepest gloom; 
instead of meeting light crosses in our path, 
we should be crushed under the weight of 
immovable vengeance. 

By confidence in God I do not mean a will- 
ingness to leave the concerns of futurity to 
his direction, because we have little or no 
belief in their reality ; neither do I mean 
that desponding resignation of soul which 
looks upon its Maker as an arbitrary Being 
whom no human endeavors can please, and 
who distributes happiness and misery with- 
out any regard to the feelings or exertions 
of liis creatures ; but I mean a sincere and 
cheerful giving up of ourselves and all our 
interests into his hands, with a firm persua- 
sion that he will dispose of us in the very 
best possible manner : I mean a resting our- 
selves upon his providence as an infant lies in 
the lap of its mother, with that same feeling 
of security and unapprehensiveness of dan- 
ger : I mean a belief in his wisdom, goodness, 
and power united ; a wisdom which always 
discerns what is best, a goodness which al- 
ways chooses it, and a power which is every 



TRUST IX GOD. 131 

way able to accomplish, it ; to all which add 
the sweet attribute of mercy which compas- 
sionates our fallen state, and is desirous to 

remove the miseries which we have brought 
upon ourselves. 

With this belief engraven on our hearts, 
our fears would all vanish. We should re- 
ceive every gift of his hand with thankful- 
ness, and endeavor to improve it in that 
manner which we thought would be most 
pleasing to him. If we were under crosses 
and afflictions, we should bear them with 
entire submission to his will, from a full per- 
suasion that he would not have sent them 
had they not been absolutely necessary, that 
he was taking the best of methods for our 
good, and that he would remove them as 
soon as the kind purpose was answered. 
With this belief we should tread every step 
of our checkered way cheerily; the roughness 
of its acclivities would render the level paths 
more pleasant. And when at length, wearied 
with fatigue, we longed for rest, with what 
dilatation of heart should we anticipate our 
blissful seat on the banks of living green 
which inclose the "pure river of the water of 



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DIVINE GOODNESS. 133. 



XXV. 

Divine Goodness. 

The goodness of God is a theme which 
fills the breasts of angels with delight ; and 
if we are ever admitted to dwell with angels, 
it will be to us a source of joy and increasing 
praise through the ages of eternity. 

The various capacities of enjoyment with 
which our Creator has endued us are con- 
stant witnesses of his beneficence. The senses 
of our bodies, as well as the faculties of our 
souls, are formed to receive delight. Why 
was the eye framed, but to refresh us with 
views of the grand and beautiful objects of 
nature and the endearing sight of "the hu- 
man face divine?" Why the ear, but to 
charm us with the melody of sweet sounds, 
and especially the cheering voice of friend- 
ship and love ? Why the palate, with such 



134 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

nice sensibility, but to afford us enjoyment in 
the wonderful variety of relish by which our 
food is distinguished? And why the yery 
organ of our breath, endued with the fine 
perception of grateful odors and reyiying air, 
but to increase our pleasures ? 

The kindest father on earth could not haye 
deyised so many sources of gratification for 
his beloyed children as those with which our 
heayenly Parent has indulged his offspring. 
How thankfully haye Christians contemplated 
his protecting care, not only through the dan- 
gers of the day, but when sunk in the slum- 
bers of night, in a state totally defenceless. 
How all nature is regulated for our security 
in the hours of repose. The glaring light of 
the sun withdrawn, eyery discordant sound 
hushed, and stillness commanded to reign ; 
only the pale stars and mild moon are awake, 
to shed their soft influence on the hours of 
peace. In the morning we arise to behold as 
it were the beauties of a new creation. The 
sun mounts his splendid chariot, to light us 
in our way and cheer us with his smiles. 
The birds fill the air with harmony, the 
flowers breathe their choicest sweets, and 



DIVINE GOODNESS. 135 

every breeze wafts health and vigor and joy. 
Through the day we are preserved from ten 
thousand accidents which might maim our 
limbs or stop the springs of life. Our food 
is provided in all its rich abundance, and 
generally even before our nature anxiously 
demands it ; as if we must not even suffer 
the pains of delay. Yet do the pleasures of 
sense form but a small proportion of our 
blessings. The society of friends and the 
sweet reciprocation of affection are precious 
sources of enjoyment. We canoiot count the 
mercies of God ; "they are more than can be 
numbered." 

But how does our list of obligations rise 
and swell upon us, when we take into view 
the abundance, the worth, and the duration 
of spiritual gifts. A Bible put into our hands 
as a chart for eternal life — a life that is as 
much superior to this as the glorious orb of 
day is brighter than a glow-worm — this is a 
treasure of more value than worlds. Why ? 
Because it proclaims pardon of sin and the 
' everlasting love of a reconciled God. Be- 
cause it shows us our duties, and gives us 
motives to practise them ; invites us to com- 



136 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

bat our enemies, and assures us of success ; 
lights us through the path of life, supports us 
in death, and introduces us with loud halle- 
lujahs to the mansions of heaven. 

Amid such a profusion of blessings and 
such obligations to obedience, is it not aston- 
ishing that any one is willing to be ungrate- 
ful and rebellious ? Yet such is man ! Prone 
"to evil as the sparks fly upward," while he 
revels on the bounty of his Maker, he forgets 
the hand that feeds him, and flies in the face 
of commands every way calculated to make 
him good and happy. But the laws of heav- 
en are not to be trampled upon with impu- 
nity. God is merciful, but he is also just ; 
and he who will not bend beneath a weight 
of blessings, must be crushed under the pres- 
sure of ill- desert. 

We have been contemplating a siw 
Providence ; but we must remember that He 
who arrays the sun in splendor, also "clothes 
the heavens with blackness ;" and though the 
" hard and impenitent heart'' may, in the day 
of prosperity, treat with levity eternal things, 
yet who has the temerity to meet the frowns 
of Deity without dismay?. And if now, in the 



DIVINE GOODNESS. 137 

day of grace, when anger mixed with forbear- 
ing love tenderly touches the rod of correc- 
tion, we shrink with terror, how shall we 
endure when justice without mercy lifts its 
dreadful hand ? If our fears " gather pale- 
ness" at a flash of lightning, at a peal of 
thunder — if our knees smite together at the 
sound of a "rushing, mighty wind" — what 
will be our consternation when that tempest 
begins its roar which is destined to destroy 
the world? when that fire is kindled which 
shall not be quenched till the earth is burned 
up ? This tremendous day will surely come ; 
it is even now hastening on us as fast as time 
can move. If to shut our eyes or stop our ears 
would retard its progress or avert destruc- 
tion, we might have some color of excuse 
for indifference ; but the operations of God 
wait not for man. In this case, a sense of 
danger may be the first step to safety ; it is 
enough that we are warned to flee from the 
approaching ruin, to " turn to the strong- 
hold." Let us listen to the admonition, and 
obey the invitation ; then shall the gathering 
clouds which threaten to burst with fury on 
our heads be dissolved into showers of bless- 



138 A MOTHER'S LEGACY. 

ings. Let us yield our hearts to the influence 
of the Divine Spirit, and our bosoms will be 
filled with peace, our lips with praise, and 
our lives with usefulness. Under his benign 
tuition we shall " revive as the corn and grow 
as the vine." Our souls, no longer like a 
barren wilderness, dead to goodness and in- 
sensible to love, will flourish in every virtue ; 
each noxious weed shall be finally eradicated, 
and " the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as 
the rose." 



1 Thou who createdst all ; thou Fountain 
Of our sun's light, who dwellest far 
From man, beyond the furthest star, 
Yet ever present ; who dost heed 
Our spirits in their utmost need ; 
We bless thee, Father, that we are. 

' We bless thee for our inward life ; 
For its immortal date decreeing ; 
For that which comprehendeth thee, 
A spark of the divinity 
Which is the being of our being. 

'We bless thee for this bounteous earth ; 
For its increase, for corn and wine, 
For forest oaks, for mountain rills, 
For cattle on a thousand hills, 
We bless thee ; for all good is thine. 



DIVINE GOODNESS. . 139 

' The earth is thine ; the summer earth, 
Fresh with the tlews, with sunshine bright, 
With golden clouds in evening hours, 
"With singing birds and balmy flowers, 
Creatures of beauty and delight. 

' The earth is thine : thy creature, man. 
Thine are all worlds, all suns that shine ; 
Darkness and light, and life and death, 
Whate'er all space inhabiteth, 
Creator, Father, all is thine." 



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